HBM announces contract for Phase II of the ITER Project

The ITER project for fusion is a large-scale scientific experiment that aims to develop a new, cleaner, sustainable source of energy, by producing commercial energy from fusion - the process that occurs at the core of the sun.

Nuclear fusion - as opposed to fission where atoms split - has remained the elusive Holy Grail for physicists over the past half century, offering the promise of virtually unlimited power supply without the production of radioactive waste.

Successfully awarded as a result of HBM and Smartecs joint experience and ability to supply FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating) technology and Fabry-Perot interferometers to measure strain, displacement and temperature in the cryogenic environment found in the ITER magnets, the tender is one of the largest single orders ever received at FiberSensing.

Following the first phase of the project, which involved the adaption and qualification of sensors, measurement units and software for the particular constraints of the ITER superconducting magnets, the second stage of the project is now underway. This stage focuses on series production, delivery and installation of the sensing systems.

In total, HBM predicts the delivery of approximately 900 sensors and the related data acquisition systems, as well as complementary accessories, such as cables and software.

As HBM are confident that the sensors qualified in this programme will be suitable for other applications at ITER and for applications further afield where measurements in cryogenic and high-radiation environments are required, the market opportunities available for fibre optics and HBM are considered to be widespread.

For more information about HBM and the ITER Project, please visit www.hbm.com.