Public Funding for DBD Limited

It is beyond dispute that the world must find new, economical, sustainable ways to supply its inhabitants’ ever-increasing demand for energy. Global energy consumption is set to triple by the end of the 21st century. The world still relies on fossil fuels for up to 90% of its energy needs (Worldwatch.org, 2013), however there will be slow decline in their supply for power generation from 2015 and there are, as yet, very few safe and environmentally friendly alternatives which can replace it, despite the ongoing development of renewable replacements. Power generation from nuclear fusion could offer the prospect of an almost inexhaustible source of energy for future generations and, as a power generation method, it is inherently safe, clean and potentially cheap, using two forms of hydrogen as its raw materials - deuterium which is in abundant supply and tritium, which can be recycled from the fusion process. However, tritium is a small light gaseous molecule that can permeate through metal pipes and so escape. There is a need to find a way to prevent its loss. DBD, a specialist engineering, technical and advisory company based in north west England, has invented an elegant and innovative barrier method to control and manage tritium permeation. It has potential to prevent loss of tritium from the nuclear fusion process, with the impact that it removes the potential economic and environmental issues of tritium loss. The award of a grant from TSB's SMART competition enables DBD to complete an 18 months long project to demonstrate the technology and to recruit new staff to undertake the work required and to access specialist resources to assist. The technology will be ready for commercial use within 2 years of the project end.