Kevin Parkin Chairman at CTI, pictured with Dr Gareth Morgan, MD at AML and Richard Cook, MD at CTI

 

AML Sheffield and Castings Technology International have secured £200k worth of funding from the UKAEA as winners of the SBRI Competition for the Fusion Industry Challenge.

This is a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition funded by the UK Atomic Energy Authority. The aim of the competition is to develop solutions to fusion energy challenges in two key priority areas.

  1. By looking at new technology critical to reactor design
  2. To promote key manufacturing technologies in the UK that are required to produce reactors at scale, which will be the focus of the CTI-AML consortium

Fusion power is a proposed form of power generation that would generate electricity by using heat from nuclear fusion reactions. In a fusion process, two lighter atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, while releasing energy. Devices designed to harness this energy are known as fusion reactors. AML and Castings Technology International (CTI), both companies situated in the Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Park, will form a dual partnership and work together to investigate early material and product design of the fusion reactor.

Dr Gareth Morgan, MD at AML Sheffield comments “this is a ground-breaking achievement for AML. We are very excited to be working with CTI in the research and development of this pioneering nuclear efficient technology”.

Richard Cook, MD at Castings Technology International, adds “We look forward to working with AML to develop this fundamentally game changing technology. Our combined specialist manufacturing techniques will support a unique research and development opportunity for both companies and will be the first of many”.

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About AML Sheffield

AML Sheffield is an advanced manufacturing supplier specialising in the development of manufacturing solutions, and production services for a number of prestigious blue-chip clients. Originally a spin-out from the award-winning Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) at the University of Sheffield, AML is now recognised as a market leader in delivering flexible manufacturing capability at the leading edge of machining technologies and efficiencies, with particular expertise in aerospace, defence and energy components.

Utilising the very latest technology and equipment, AML manufactures the highest quality precision parts available on the market today. Through our early adoption of technology, we are committed to supporting the factories of the future.

About Castings Technology International

Castings Technology is a leader in foundry manufacturing and a global provider of consultancy services to support the metallurgical and manufacturing requirements of foundries, castings users and product designers.

Our ability to support you and your clients takes many forms including manufacturing for you directly or through access to our many sub-contract services. We are here to ensure that casting remains the best choice for near-net shape components.

Castings Technology operates from a purpose-built facility in the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Park in South Yorkshire, UK.  The 10,000 m² facility houses the latest pattern-making, moulding, vacuum and air melt casting facilities together with support services.

About UKAEA

UKAEA researches fusion energy and related technologies, with the aim of positioning the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy.