Description of need
Ceramics are present in many components in a Nuclear fusion reactor, and they will undergo heavy irradiation. D-T fusion generates neutrons and gamma rays, which create permanent and transient defects. Radiation increases electrical conductivity in ceramics, which is usually a bad thing.
Ceramics will be “everywhere” in fusion plants:
- In RF cavity windows (e.g. Al2O3)
- Tiles for the plasma-facing components to prevent eddy currents
- In the breeding blanket (for solid breeding blanket designs, e.g. Li₂O)
- HTS tape, e.g. REBCO superconducting material
- Neutral beam injector insulators
- Sensors and cameras (see Cameras that work in high-radiation environments
- Maintenance equipment
- Plasma-facing materials (e.g. SiC)
- Magnet coil insulators
- Electrical connections and cabling insulators (cable interconnects can’t be plastic because of the high temperatures)
- Optical fibers (e.g. fused silica)
- Plasma spray insulation of structural components
The challenge is that ceramics become more conductive with damage, and they don’t heal or anneal.
Problem severity (1-10)
6
Who has this need
Fusion companies
Total addressable market (TAM)
Unknown
Solutions today, and their shortcomings
Unknown
Potentially relevant capabilities
- Mike Short is proposing new classes of radiation-hard ceramics that would help with this challenge.
- Rafael Gomez‐Bombarelli is working on high-entropy ceramics (HEC) development