Lithium enrichment threatens to curb fusion deployment

Abstract

Samuel Ward has close to a decade of experience across the commercialization stack of nuclear fusion, from plasma physics research and engineering to policy and strategy. He aims to help fusion generate value, not just power. He spent his time as a postdoctoral researcher at Eindhoven University of Technology researching fusion technoeconomics, previously working on plasma physics at CCFE and ITER for his PhD at the University of York. He holds an MPhys from the University of Manchester and currently performs market, technoeconomic, and strategic analysis for firms in the nuclear fusion space.Richard J. Pearson is chief innovator and co-founder of Kyoto Fusioneering and visiting senior research associate at the University of Bristol. Holding a PhD in fusion engineering and innovation (Open University) and an MSc in nuclear engineering (Imperial College London), he aligns industrial practice with academic inquiry, translating complex fusion concepts into bankable, policy-aligned technologies through rigorous systems thinking, including specifically on the topic of fuel supply for fusion. Richard is the author of 15+ publications on technology roadmapping, tritium supply, and deep-tech commercialization and also serves as field editor for commercialization at the Journal of Fusion Energy.Thomas Scott is a professor of materials at the University of Bristol, holding a 5-year RAEng chair in actinide materials. He has published over 60 academic papers and holds 3 patents, having co-founded Imitec and Arkenlight. He is the academic lead for the Sellafield UK Centre of Expertise for Uranium and Reactive Metals, having developed two novel radiation detection techniques. His research interests are in aging, corrosion, and characterization of radioactive materials in engineered and environmental systems.Niek Lopes Cardozo is professor emeritus of science and technology of nuclear fusion at Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands, where he initiated the dedicated, interdisciplinary MSc program on fusion energy. Before focusing on education, he directed the Dutch fusion research program and served on many European scientific and managerial fusion committees. In parallel with his work as a researcher and educator, he has been active in science policy on the national level. In recent years, his research has focused on the socio- and techno-economics of the energy transition and the potential role of fusion energy therein.