First Light Fusion Ltd is a lean, focused and agile corporation researching energy generation by inertial fusion energy (IFE). The company was spun out from the University of Oxford in June 2011 and is based near Oxford. First Light continues to work closely with the academic community, both in the UK and internationally. The company is well-funded by both institutional investors and private individuals.
External link for First Light Fusion
Mead Road
Unit 10, Oxford Industrial Park
Yarnton, Oxfordshire OX5 1QU, GB
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First Light Fusion, the inertial fusion company, has partnered with two European institutions to research the damage caused by supersonic dust-impacts in tokamak fusion devices – the experimental machines mainly used in magnetic confinement fusion. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eBnP4dXG #manufacturing #engineering #logistics
At First Light Fusion, we are constantly seeking out new ways to collaborate with talented engineers and physicist around the world, in pursuit of commercially-scalable fusion energy. We recently collaborated with the Swedish KTH Royal Institute of Technology and the Italian National Research Council, to research the damage caused by supersonic dust-impacts in tokamak fusion devices – the experimental machines mainly used in magnetic confinement fusion. The research tackled one of the key engineering challenges of magnetic fusion - reducing the damage caused to the machinery by runaway electron beams created by plasma disruptions. Francisco Suzuki-Vidal Suzuki-Vidal, one of First Light Fusion’s lead scientists involved in the collaboration said: “These experiments mark a big step forward in our understanding of the damage of dust-impacts in fusion devices. It has been great to see the benefits of our ongoing collaboration with our peers in Sweden and Italy come to fruition.” Read all about it here – https://lnkd.in/eUvu6C_G
At First Light Fusion, we are committed to developing the next generation of talented scientists, engineers and physicists. As part of this commitment, we are currently partnering with the University of Strathclyde, to sponsor a PhD studentship as part of the Industrial CASE funding program overseen by EPSRC. Applications are now open for the PhD position, which will explore vital research into high voltage pulsed power engineering. If you or anyone in your network would be interested in applying, applications are open until 1 September 2024. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eNRUeMm7 #fusion #thefutureisfusion
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It was an honour to host Minister Imaeda and team and to show them how we are pushing forward the field of Inertial Fusion Energy with our Amplifier fuel targets, our unique simulation and ML tools, and of course our superb team. Japan is a key country for First Light as we look to develop the partnerships that will deliver Fusion energy to the grid - by the simplest mean possible. We were very impressed by Minister Imaeda who is pushing an ambitious agenda in Japan to help it emulate the success of the UK in growing innovative deep tech businesses. We need to remember what makes the UK a stand out country for start-up innovation: the science; the finance; the commercial and regulatory environment; and the people. And then let's make each of these aspects better so we remain an example to the world of how this is done.
We were delighted to welcome a delegation from the Japanese Government to First Light HQ in Oxford yesterday, as part of our ongoing collaboration on commercial fusion energy research. The Japanese delegation was led by State Minister Soichiro Imaeda from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (‘MEXT’). It was great to discuss our mutual ambitions for the future of fusion energy and the many ways in which we can support each other in realising them. Last April, Japan launched its ‘Fusion Energy Innovation Strategy’ – aimed at making fusion energy the world’s 'next-generation energy source'. The ambitious strategy links arm in arm with First Light's own progress towards developing a commercial source of inertial fusion energy based on our unique amplifier technology. We look forward to lots more fruitful collaboration to come. Read more about the visit here - https://lnkd.in/d4g4WTdz #fusion #thefutureisfusion
First Light Fusion reposted this
British inertial fusion energy developer First Light Fusion has hosted a delegation from the Japanese government, headed by State Minister Soichiro Imaeda from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The visit comes as the UK and Japan seek closer collaboration on commercial fusion energy research. https://lnkd.in/dsfEJx2j
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I challenge you not to be inspired by these incredible young voices speaking about how fusion energy gives them hope for the future. Thanks to The Village Films and all the young stars from around the world who took part. Fusion is the answer and it starts with us. First Light Fusion UK Atomic Energy Authority Commonwealth Fusion Systems Energy4Climate (E4C) Kyoto Fusioneering digiLab Tokamak Energy #FusionIsComing
We were delighted to welcome a delegation from the Japanese Government to First Light HQ in Oxford yesterday, as part of our ongoing collaboration on commercial fusion energy research. The Japanese delegation was led by State Minister Soichiro Imaeda from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (‘MEXT’). It was great to discuss our mutual ambitions for the future of fusion energy and the many ways in which we can support each other in realising them. Last April, Japan launched its ‘Fusion Energy Innovation Strategy’ – aimed at making fusion energy the world’s 'next-generation energy source'. The ambitious strategy links arm in arm with First Light's own progress towards developing a commercial source of inertial fusion energy based on our unique amplifier technology. We look forward to lots more fruitful collaboration to come. Read more about the visit here - https://lnkd.in/d4g4WTdz #fusion #thefutureisfusion
Great work from First Light's IP Manager Martin Yagi
OpenChain has a free training course 'Introduction to Open Source License Compliance Management' (LFC193). Martin from the OpenChain UK community created Bite-Sized Videos to support learners. Part 0: Introduction The full series + course link: https://hubs.la/Q02Fw_v00
Congratulations to the Fusion Industry Association on its 4th annual “Global Fusion Industry Report”, which we were delighted to contribute to! The private fusion sector is developing critical fusion technology at a rapid pace, backed by almost $1 billion of capital in the last year alone. It's great to see more peers focused on fusion – the last power source the world ever needs. And Governments around the world are taking note with more public-private partnerships launched, including in the UK with the new Fusion Futures programme. As we said to the new UK Government on Monday, Labour must recognise the opportunity of fusion energy and act immediately to maintain the UK’s world-leading position. The UK can demonstrate true fusion leadership by being clear on how it will invest to maintain and accelerate our position in the race to achieve commercial fusion. https://lnkd.in/ehrCBjPM #fusionenergy #fusionindustry #privatefusion #deeptech #VC Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
New global fusion industry report out now! Today we launch our 2024 report, giving an updated snapshot of where the private fusion industry stands. The global fusion industry has now attracted over $7.1bn of investment, with over $900m of new funds backing the technology since last year. Total public funding increased by 57% in the last 12 months to $426m, showing governments increasingly see public-private partnerships as central to making commercial fusion a reality. Companies remain steadfast in their projected timelines for producing fusion-generated electricity in the 2030s, with 89% of the companies responding to the survey anticipating that fusion will provide electricity to the grid by the end of 2030s, and 70% of the companies saying that milestone will happen by the end of 2035. Over 4,000 people around the world are now employed at private fusion companies. However, there are still major challenges to overcome and, between 2025 and 2030, two-thirds of respondents believe power efficiency will be a major challenge, while the same proportion (66%) believe funding will be a barrier to success. Read the full report to gain further insight into today’s global fusion industry and profiles of the developers. About the Report This is the fourth annual “Global Fusion Industry Report” from the Fusion Industry Association. Responses are based on answers to a survey issued to private fusion companies. This survey should be seen as a snapshot in time; a view of the industry when the survey was conducted in the second quarter of 2024. Repeating the activity year-on-year enables us to see the picture evolving. https://lnkd.in/ehrCBjPM #FusionEnergy #FusionIndustry
Today we publish our response to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero's consultation on a new National Policy Statement for Fusion Energy. The new Labour Government must recognise the opportunity of fusion and act immediately to maintain the UK’s world-leading position in the field. We are calling for: ✅ Support for multiple fusion technologies: The NPS should ensure genuine Government support for both magnetic and inertial fusion technologies currently under active development in the UK. This approach will increase the likelihood of a successful breakthrough and reflect the rapid progress being made to date with inertial fusion. ✅ Clear siting guidelines for fusion plants: To avoid potential delays similar to those experienced with grid connections for other types of commercial power plant, the NPS must develop and publish clear guidelines for the siting of fusion plants. ✅ A coordinated cross-departmental approach: A coordinated and joined-up approach across both the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will be essential to progressing fusion research and development and commercialisation. ✅ An ambitious target date for commercial fusion: The Government’s proposals for a National Policy Statement for fusion in their current form do not commit to a specific deployment deadline for commercial fusion energy facilities. Establishing a target date for first commercial fusion in the UK by 2040 will catalyse investment, research and focus towards achieving this goal. This should be ambitious yet achievable to drive progress and demonstrate the UK’s ongoing commitment to leading in fusion energy. Read our full submission to the government consultation here: https://lnkd.in/eE9xaqz9