Luis E. Black

Tech Addict, Allergic to Stupidity, comic, anime and manga lover. Engineer, observer, and critic. Really weird humor. Dad in training.

[Tokamak Energy @TokamakEnergy]

Here we go…

This is the moment our ST40 centre column is lifted out. A bit like open-heart surgery on a tokamak.

It’s a delicate operation, and a huge milestone for ST40. The centre column has had a tough life, acting as the core of the toroidal magnetic field coil in the world’s highest-field spherical tokamak.

After more than 5,000 plasma pulses, it has helped generate magnetic fields above 2 Tesla at the plasma core, confining plasma at temperatures of more than 100 million °C, the threshold for #fusion.

Next up, we install the new and improved centre column built by our partners at The Rockwood Group. This is all part of ST40’s major upgrade programme with @ENERGY and @energygovuk, helping transform it into one of the most reactor-relevant fusion devices in the world.

What began as an experimental tokamak is becoming something much bigger: a customer testbed for the technologies and expertise needed to put #fusionenergy onto the grid⚡

And for anyone wondering what the centre column actually does…

👇
It forms the inner limb of each turn of the toroidal field coil. Its 24 wedges each carry up to 200 kA of current, generating the powerful magnetic fields needed to confine the plasma. Wrapped around the wedges, a 192-turn central solenoid helps drive and sustain the plasma current, after merging-compression start-up.

An impressive piece of equipment with an equally impressive track record!

#Fusion #FusionEnergy #Innovation

[Luis E. Black @lichoCPU]

https://t.co/svbOr3KEpV

[Luis E. Black @lichoCPU]

https://t.co/0JiNUYhlQ1

[Luis E. Black @lichoCPU]

Well played: I checked out my first song, top listens and all-time hits since my first day on Spotify, 21/08/15. Find yours at The Party of your Year(s)!
https://t.co/LoTWe1fHzZ

[Tokamak Energy @TokamakEnergy]

Big news for #fusion today, and for the UK's role in turning world-leading science into real energy infrastructure. @typeoneenergy, @TokamakEnergy, and @AECOM have announced the UK Infinity Fusion Consortium, aiming to develop the UK’s first private‑sector‑led commercial fusion power plant.

The consortium brings together Type One Energy’s 400 MWe Infinity Two stellarator power plant design, Tokamak Energy’s high‑temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology and UK manufacturing capability, and AECOM's experience delivering complex energy infrastructure.

The goal is a fusion power plant project that is commercially credible, deployable using existing technologies, and attractive to private capital, aligned with the UK Government’s Fusion Strategy.

The partners came together through the @TheSMI, set up by His Majesty King Charles III to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy.

Through our TE Magnetics division, Tokamak Energy has over 10 years' experience developing the powerful, robust #HTS technology that enables magnetic confinement fusion. We were recently announced as the Magnet Systems partner for the UK Government's STEP Fusion programme.

Read the full release here:
👇
https://t.co/SWzQ6Ryr3V

#Fusion #FusionEnergy #HighTemperatureSuperconductors

[Luis E. Black @lichoCPU]

https://t.co/ZZFh2hi5y2

[Tokamak Energy @TokamakEnergy]

Tokamak Energy has been named Magnet Systems Partner for the UK's @STEPtoFusion programme, announced today at Fusion Fest in London.

We’re proud to be working with UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) on STEP, the UK Government’s fusion power plant programme, supporting the next phase of the UK's #fusion journey.

Under a £70m contract running to 2029, Tokamak Energy will partner with UKFE on high‑temperature #superconducting (HTS) magnet systems, while also supporting tokamak systems engineering and plasma‑facing integration as STEP moves from design into delivery.

Delivery will be led through TE Magnetics, our HTS technologies division, which brings dedicated design, manufacturing and test capability for advanced HTS magnet systems. UKFE will also make use of our ST40 high-field spherical tokamak, which recently achieved record plasma current and energy performance.

Warrick Matthews, CEO of Tokamak Energy, said:

“HTS magnets are a transformative technology essential for delivering energy‑producing fusion devices like STEP. Our experience operating advanced fusion machines will be invaluable as we scale up towards a low‑carbon, secure energy future.”

Dan Bishop, Chief Commercial Officer at UKFE, said:

“This partnership is about delivering together. Tokamak Energy brings the complementary skills, facilities and experience to move at pace. Our mission to deliver the STEP programme objectives is enhanced by this partnership.”

Together, we are accelerating delivery of fusion power to the grid⚡️

Read more:
👇
https://t.co/FGZvOZsqke

@UKAEAofficial @energygovuk

#Fusion #FusionEnergy #Magnets #HighTemperatureSuperconductors #STEPFusion

[Tokamak Energy @TokamakEnergy]

Showcasing #superconductivity in action at @TokamakEnergy, it was fantastic to welcome social media science creator @bigmanny1_ alongside Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, to carry out a #superconducting experiment using liquid nitrogen under the guidance of our Head of Magnets R&D, Greg Brittles.

When a high‑temperature #superconductor is cooled with a #magnet positioned above it, it 'locks' the magnetic field in place, allowing the magnet to float stably above it.

This is the same high‑temperature superconducting (HTS) technology that will be fundamental to commercial #fusion as well as opening up exciting opportunities in other sectors, from power distribution to a new generation of compact, highly efficient motors and generators.

Watch the video on Instagram:
👇
https://t.co/qFlQ1PqevV

@energygovuk @SciTechgovuk
#Superconductors #Fusion #Limitless #Innovation

[Luis E. Black @lichoCPU]

https://t.co/xSqxctchPL

[Tokamak Energy @TokamakEnergy]

It was a pleasure to welcome Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, to Tokamak Energy today as part of the launch of the UK’s new #fusion strategy. The UK Government is backing fusion research and commercialisation with over £2.5 billion over the next five years, recognising fusion as a key technology for energy security and long‑term economic growth.

During the visit, Lord Vallance toured our ST40 spherical tokamak, our world‑leading high temperature #superconducting (HTS) magnet technology, and Demo4 fusion magnet system.

Our CEO, Warrick Matthews, who led the visit, said:

“We welcome the government’s commitment to establishing the UK as a global leader in fusion – the 21st century’s most important technology. Tokamak Energy brings extensive expertise to the race, including power‑plant‑relevant results on our ground-breaking spherical tokamak and our world‑first HTS fusion magnet system."

"Through our TE Magnetics division, we are a market leader in the breakthrough HTS technology the STEP fusion programme will rely on to control the plasma. Our focus is realising its full potential for fusion and other sectors including science, defence, transport and grid technologies – tomorrow’s technology creating growth, jobs, exports and value today.”

The new strategy confirms that the UK will work in close partnership with industry, ensuring the country is positioned to capture near‑term economic benefits from rapidly developing fusion technologies: accelerated innovation, high‑value skills, secure well‑paid jobs, and commercially valuable spin‑out technologies.

Fusion strategy:
👇
https://t.co/KhGRLwrjCN

@UKAEAofficial @STEPtoFusion @energygovuk @SciTechgovuk

#Fusion #FusionEnergy #Superconductors #Limitless #Innovation

[Tokamak Energy @TokamakEnergy]

Our team was honoured to meet His Majesty King Charles III at the @TheSMI Roundtables and Exhibition Summit in Hampton Court Palace last week.

We were proudly exhibiting alongside major organisations as part of The King’s drive to accelerate the transition to a sustainable global economy.

The Sustainable Markets Initiative Roundtables & Exhibition showcased a range of exhibitors from clean energy to space and sustainable materials to cutting-edge technology.

Pictured here, our CEO Warrick Matthews explains the positive impact technology and the SMI network is having on His Majesty’s mission, with fusion an essential part of a clean energy future.

Warrick also joined a plenary session for the Buildings and Data Centres Pathfinder group to explore the transformational capabilities of high temperature superconductors, for fusion, lossless power transmission for data centres, and unlocking new levels of performance in a range of other sectors including science, defence and transport.

Thanks to SMI for hosting another outstanding event, which unites hundreds of global CEOs, international delegations and innovators, and we look forward to playing our part in the next phase of delivery towards a sustainable transition.

#fusionenergy #SMISummit2026

[Tokamak Energy @TokamakEnergy]

Here’s the first picture of our new ST40 centre column, designed to slot into our ST40 spherical tokamak. It’s currently being built by our partners at @RockwoodComp and is a major part of the upgrade we’re undertaking this year.

The centre column in ST40 has two main functions. With each of its 24 wedges carrying up to 200 kA, it acts as the core of the toroidal field coil, enabling toroidal magnetic fields greater than 2 Tesla at the plasma core. It also houses a 192‑turn solenoid that boosts and sustains the plasma current created during merging‑compression start‑up.

As the world’s highest‑field spherical tokamak, ST40 is the perfect testbed for developing the technologies and expertise needed for future #fusion power plants. That’s why our current programme, in partnership with @ENERGY and @energygovuk, is focused on exactly that.

The upgrades happening this year will allow us to test key fusion technologies such as lithium plasma‑facing surfaces and radio‑frequency heating in a high‑field, high‑performance environment. They also strengthen collaboration between the UK and the US, allowing researchers across our partner universities and national labs in both countries to benefit from ST40 research.

Our new centre column will help unlock improved performance as we move into the next phase of operations.

#Fusion #FusionEnergy #Innovation #Partnerships

[Luis E. Black @lichoCPU]

@Borderlands @becky_zz @CorvoMecanique just because 🤣

[Borderlands @Borderlands]

We're giving away 20 Steam codes for Borderlands 4: Super Deluxe Edition, which includes Bounty Pack 2: Legend of the Stone Demon, out Feb. 26!

For a chance to win:
💖 Like this post
🔁 Share this post
💬 Tag a friend in the comments

Contest ends Feb. 25 at 9 a.m. PT.
Terms & Conditions apply.

[Tokamak Energy @TokamakEnergy]

Our first tokamak, ST25‑HTS, became a real talking point as the centrepiece exhibit at the recent Institute of Physics ‘Physics Powering the Green Economy’ Reception, attended by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

The Royal reception at IOP’s King’s Cross headquarters was held in celebration of the crucial role #physics performs in tackling the climate crisis.

As part of this effort, the IOP has published ‘Unleashing Physics to Power the UK Energy Sector’, highlighting the physics research and innovation driving new solutions. This event helped bring some of those ideas to life, and Tokamak Energy was one of the innovators invited to present our latest advances.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh praised the “imagination and creativity” of the companies exhibiting, and spent time discussing our #fusion and #superconducting technologies with co-founder David Kingham and Head of Magnet Systems Development Rod Bateman.

ST25-HTS was the first spherical tokamak built with a full set of new generation high temperature superconducting (#HTS) magnets. In 2015, it sustained a 24-hour plasma pulse, proving the potential of HTS technology in the quest to deliver clean, limitless fusion energy. In December, Tokamak Energy was presented with a prestigious IOP Business Innovation Award for our work developing compact, powerful, robust, and quench-safe HTS technology.

You can still see ST25-HTS on display. It will remain in the IOP reception area throughout February.

@PhysicsNews

#Fusion #FusionEnergy #Superconductors #HighTemperatureSuperconductors #Innovation #Limitless

[Tokamak Energy @TokamakEnergy]

It’s #NationalApprenticeshipWeek, and we’re celebrating in‑career #apprenticeships at Tokamak Energy. Because apprenticeships aren’t just a great way to start a career, they’re a brilliant way to grow one too.

Meet Duncan Matthews, Supervisor in our Technical Engineering Group. Duncan joined us two years ago as a Mechanical Technician, having started his own journey as an #apprentice because he preferred hands‑on learning to university.

Fast‑forward to today, and he’s now leading people, supporting major projects, and building his leadership skills through a Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship with accreditation from the Chartered Management Institute @cmi_managers.

As Duncan says:

“It’s rewarding, flexible and fits around my work. Learning alongside people from different industries brings new ideas I can apply straight away”.

He's now supervising some of our early‑career apprentices too, bringing things full circle and passing on the support he once received.

#Fusion #FusionEnergy #Apprenticeship #NAW2026 #SkillsforLife

[Tokamak Energy @TokamakEnergy]

Why are we trying to build a sun on Earth?☀️This is the question our project engineer Leah Morgan answered for a new @PhysicsNews social media series called ‘Physics in 60 Seconds’.

The campaign will take a very simple, intriguing #physics or #technology question and answer it as simply as possible in under a minute. Leah did a great job explaining the benefits of clean #fusionenergy and the value of an operating tokamak like our record-breaking machine, ST40.

Thanks to James Hopkirk and the IOP team for making Tokamak Energy your first stop of the year and we look forward to seeing the film when it is out.

#Fusion #FusionEnergy #Limitless #EnergyTransition #Innovation

[Tokamak Energy @TokamakEnergy]

Preparing for open-heart surgery on a tokamak? Here’s a rare view of the top of ST40 as we gear up for a leap in #fusion performance.

ST40 is the highest-field spherical tokamak in the world, and this year we’re making it the most fusion power-relevant through a major upgrade under our LEAPS programme (Lithium Evaporations to Advance PFCs in ST40) in partnership with @ENERGY and @energygovuk.

What’s changing:

✅ Centre column upgrade: the heart of ST40 is being replaced with a new design for higher performance, currently in manufacture.

✅ Plasma-facing components (PFCs): replacing graphite with molybdenum-coated tiles to align with future device materials and enable coating with lithium.

✅ Lithium evaporation: enabling advanced wall conditioning and performance studies.

✅ Gyrotron addition: our first gyrotron will deliver 1 MW of radio frequency (RF) power to heat and drive plasma current.

✅ Diagnostics overhaul: upgrades to Thomson scattering, spectroscopy, and more.

✅ Pellet injector: firing frozen deuterium pellets at ~1,000 m/s to fuel the plasma.

Why it matters:

The upgrades will allow ST40 to test critical fusion power technologies, including lithium PFC surfaces and RF heating, on a high-performance, high-field machine. They strengthen the UK–U.S. partnership on fusion energy, enabling our collaborators at universities and national laboratories in both countries to benefit from ST40 research. In particular, @PPPLab will lend their expertise in lithium coatings, while @ORNL will supply the pellet injector and assist in its deployment.

2026 is a year of transformation as we prepare ST40 for the future and continue developing the expertise needed to bring fusion power to the grid — while creating spin-out technologies that will impact industries far beyond fusion.

👉 Follow for updates as we move through this major upgrade and commissioning.

#Fusion #FusionEnergy #CleanEnergy #Innovation

[Luis Carlos 🏴‍☠️ One Piece @LuisCarlos]

Otro gran detalle de la pieza del NY Times sobre Delcy Rodríguez es que borra deliberadamente su responsabilidad en el aparato represivo. Como vicepresidenta ha sido responsable de acciones del Sebin, centros de tortura y crímenes de lesa humanidad ya documentados por la ONU.