On March 27, the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to collaborate on research and development of remote maintenance technology for a fusion demonstration reactor.

Future fusion demonstration reactors will require remote maintenance with limited access by workers due to harsh environmental conditions, including high temperatures, high magnetic fields, and radiation caused by and for nuclear fusion reactions. Thus, it is essential to develop remote maintenance and robotic systems and integrate them from the conceptual design phase. Advanced robotic systems that are capable of withstanding the high vacuum and magnetic fields of nuclear fusion environments while performing tasks such as inspection, cutting, and welding remotely within a limited space without damaging surrounding devices and systems are necessary.

KFE has been developing remote maintenance technology required for the fusion demonstration reactors, conducting research on remote maintenance strategies, and starting conceptual designs for robot arms. In order to advance this line of research, KFE is expanding its cooperation with domestic and international research institutions and companies for related technology development. One such partnership is the collaboration with UKAEA, who lead the way in fusion reactor robot technology research.

UKAEA is a world-leading research organization responsible for the development of fusion energy in the United Kingdom. UKAEA established the Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) robotics center in 2014 and has continued to conduct research on robot technologies used in extreme environments, including nuclear fusion. This has allowed UKAEA to build up a wide variety of experiences and develop technologies related to remote maintenance.

Under the MOU, KFE and UKAEA plan to discuss joint research plans on conceptual designs for remote maintenance and robot technology development for fusion demonstration reactors. They also plan to expand the sharing of the latest fusion technology and information between the two countries through joint workshops and research personnel exchanges.

KFE's president, Dr. Suk Jae Yoo, remarked: "We are thrilled to be teaming up with UKAEA, who are at the forefront of the challenge to demonstrate fusion energy on earth. While UKAEA researchers have vast knowledge in developing robot arms for fusion maintenance, KFE researchers bring extensive expertise gained from constructing and operating the KSTAR. The collaboration between the two institutions will create a synergy in developing remote control systems for fusion demonstration machines. I hope this partnership leads to further collaborations in key research areas, advancing the development of fusion energy."

UKAEA’s CEO, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, commented: “Fusion could be transformative for energy security and is important in the global fight against climate change. The ground-breaking research and innovation being done in the UK, and with our partners across the globe, aims to make fusion energy a reality. We welcome KFE to UKAEA’s Culham Campus and look forward to an evolving partnership driven by a shared quest to make fusion part of the world’s future energy supply.”