Korea Institute of Fusion Energy and UK Atomic Energy Authority
Sign MOU, Launch Joint Technology Research
South Korea and the United Kingdom have agreed to jointly develop robots capable of withstanding the extreme heat of fusion demonstration reactors, where internal temperatures exceed 100 million degrees Celsius, and performing maintenance work.
The Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) announced on the 27th that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) for research and development cooperation on remote maintenance technology for fusion demonstration reactors.
The fusion demonstration reactors to be constructed in the future will require remote maintenance due to restricted human access caused by extreme environmental conditions such as high-temperature heat flux from fusion reactions, strong magnetic fields, and radiation. Therefore, from the conceptual design stage of the fusion demonstration reactor, it is essential to develop automated designs for periodic inspection and replacement, as well as robotic systems suitable for the reactor environment.
In particular, it is necessary to develop advanced robotic systems that can withstand fusion environments such as high vacuum and strong magnetic fields, and remotely perform tasks such as inspection, cutting, and welding within confined spaces without damaging surrounding devices and systems.
Last year, KFE conducted a study to establish a remote maintenance strategy for fusion demonstration reactors and began conceptual design of robotic arms, laying the foundation for developing remote maintenance technologies required for fusion demonstration reactors. Going forward, it plans to expand cooperation with domestic and international research institutions and companies for related technology development. UKAEA leads research on maintenance robot technology among global fusion R&D countries. Since establishing the RACE (Remote Applications in Challenging Environments) center in 2014, it has focused on robotic technologies used in extreme environments such as fusion, accumulating diverse experience and expertise.
The two institutions plan to discuss joint research promotion plans on conceptual design for remote maintenance of fusion demonstration reactors and development of robotic technologies for fusion reactors. Through joint workshops and mutual exchange of research personnel, they will expand sharing of the latest fusion technologies and information between the two countries.
KFE stated, "We plan to establish a foundation for the engineering design initiation of the remote maintenance system for fusion demonstration reactors," adding, "Technologies related to robot manufacturing will also be applied to the development of key devices for fusion demonstration reactor construction such as blankets and divertors, providing an opportunity for domestic technological capabilities to grow alongside the reactor construction."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
