Tokamak Energy has been awarded a contract from General Atomics to supply high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology for U.S. undersea magnetohydrodynamic pumps.
The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) launched the Principles of Undersea Magnetohydrodynamic Pumps (PUMP) program in 2023 to develop new electrode materials for magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) drive systems.
Under the contract, Tokamak Energy will handle simulation, design, and fabrication of the HTS magnets.
General Atomics will integrate the magnet system with auxiliary components and coordinate with HRL Laboratories, which is developing new electrode technology to improve performance. The work combines capabilities to resolve earlier limitations in magnet and electrode design that restricted magnetohydrodynamic applications.
HTS magnets are suited for MHD propulsion because they can generate strong magnetic fields in compact systems, enabling effective underwater operation.
Tokamak Energy is using its proprietary suite of modeling and simulation tools, validated through magnet testing, along with patented designs and manufacturing technologies developed for fusion energy research.
Dr Liam Brennan, director of TE Magnetics, Tokamak Energy’s business division, said: “This contract is another step towards realizing a military relevant scale magnetohydrodynamic drive, and we are delighted to be working with General Atomics on this important project. We’re excited to demonstrate how our HTS technology, born from our mission to deliver limitless, clean fusion energy, can enable a broad range of applications with significant industrial and commercial value across a range of sectors.”
“We are proud to be part of this groundbreaking collaboration and to provide our expertise in advanced magnet system integration,” said John Smith, senior director of Projects and Engineering for General Atomics Energy Group. “Our work with Tokamak Energy and HRL Laboratories shows how the unique strengths of each collaborator can overcome long-standing barriers in magnetohydrodynamic propulsion. At General Atomics, we have a proven record of delivering complex technologies for national security, energy, and scientific discovery, and this project highlights how our capabilities extend across multiple applications to strengthen U.S. leadership in innovation.”
Tokamak Energy launched TE Magnetics in Sep 2024 to focus on industrial applications of HTS technology.
MHD pumps generate force from a magnetic field to an electric current passing through seawater, eliminating moving parts. This design lowers noise and increases reliability compared with conventional propeller or impeller-based systems.
Tokamak Energy has advanced rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) superconducting material and developed winding, testing, and manufacturing methods to build HTS magnets. These materials have produced magnetic fields up to 24 tesla and are key to developing MHD drives. The PUMP program is of 42 months focused on solving electrode material challenges.
Tokamak Energy does not hold a contract with the U.S. government for this program.
Source: Tokamak Energy
About Tokamak Energy
Tokamak Energy, founded in 2009 as a spin-off from the UK Atomic Energy Authority, is a private company headquartered in Milton Park, Oxfordshire, UK. Specializing in the development of compact spherical tokamaks and high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets, the company aims to deliver commercially viable fusion energy solutions. Serving industries focused on clean energy and advanced scientific research, Tokamak Energy has achieved significant milestones, including operating the ST40 tokamak, that reached plasma temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius in 2022. In addition to its fusion energy endeavors, the company collaborates on projects utilizing HTS magnet technology for various applications, such as silent marine propulsion systems. As of 2024, Tokamak Energy employs over 260 individuals. The company has raised substantial funding, including $250 million by 2022, to support its innovative research and development efforts.
About General Atomics
General Atomics, founded in 1955, is a technology company based in San Diego that develops advanced systems for defense, aerospace, energy, and industrial use. The company designs and manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles, electromagnetic launch systems, and components for nuclear and fusion energy, along with other mission-critical hardware and services. It serves military, government, energy, and commercial customers, with expertise in aircraft systems, power generation, electromagnetics, and materials science. General Atomics reported estimated revenue of about $3.2 billion in 2024.