Durham takes quality control ITERations to a new level
14 Sep 2025
One of the biggest quality checks ever attempted on superconducting materials has been completed by Durham University researchers.
The scientists completed an estimated 13,000 individual measurements on behalf of the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) fusion energy experiment based in France.
The team was responsible for developing the test methods for the super conducting wires employed for ITER’s magnet system.
More than 5,500 wire samples made from compounds Nb?Sn and Nb–Ti were used for the measurements made.
However, Nb?Sn wires had to be heat-treated in furnaces exceeding 650°C before measurement, making it impossible to carry out repeated measurements on the same wire as they would be altered by the temperature.
Instead, the researchers measured adjacent strands in separate laboratories in order to cross-check results cost effectively.
Professor Damian Hampshire who led the work said: "The UK leads the world in the manufacture of MRI body scanners using Superconducting magnets.
“The question is can we help lead the world with the commercialisation of fusion power generation using Superconducting magnets?”
Hampshire and colleague Dr Mark Raine (pictured), were chosen in 2011 to establish one of Europe’s official reference laboratories for ITER at Durham.
The government has additionally committed £2.5 billion to fusion research which will help fund its STEP prototype plant located at a former Nottinghamshire coal site.
