The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, has launched the Diagnostics Innovation Centre of Excellence (DICE) at Culham Campus, securing over £10 million in contracts with 10 organisations to advance fusion diagnostics.
The Diagnostics Innovation Centre of Excellence (DICE) is based at UKAEA’s Culham Campus in Oxfordshire and has been established to develop advanced measurement systems for fusion energy. The centre brings together decades of UK expertise in diagnostics design, build and operation.
DICE will support both national and international partners by acting as a hub for collaboration across fusion research and industry. Its early contract activity reflects immediate engagement from organisations working across the fusion sector and related technologies.
Launch of the Diagnostics Innovation Centre
The centre has been formally launched to strengthen the UK’s position in fusion diagnostics, focusing on technologies that measure conditions inside fusion machines. It operates as a national capability within UKAEA’s broader fusion research programme.
DICE is designed to centralise expertise and infrastructure, allowing coordinated development of diagnostics systems for current and future fusion projects.
- Location: Culham Campus in Oxfordshire as part of UKAEA’s national fusion laboratory
- Initial contracts: Agreements secured with 10 organisations exceeding £10 million in value
- Core function: Development of advanced diagnostics systems for fusion machines
Role of Diagnostics in Fusion Energy
Diagnostics systems measure key plasma conditions including temperature, density, shape and stability during fusion processes. These measurements are required to maintain control and ensure safe operation at extreme temperatures.
The development of such systems involves specialist engineering and scientific knowledge, combining real-time monitoring with complex instrumentation design.
Fusion Diagnostics Indicators
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma measurement capability | Expanded | DICE established to advance diagnostics systems for fusion machines under UKAEA |
| Operational expertise | Consolidated | Experience from JET and MAST Upgrade integrated into new centre capability |
| Technology deployment | Active | Systems designed to monitor plasma conditions in real time during fusion processes |
UK Expertise and Technical Capability
The UK has developed extensive experience in fusion diagnostics through major programmes such as JET and MAST Upgrade. This background supports the technical capability now concentrated within DICE.
Teams at the centre include specialists across design, installation, analysis and operational support for diagnostics systems.
Commercial Activity and Early Contracts
DICE has secured contracts with 10 organisations exceeding £10 million in total value, indicating early demand for diagnostics expertise and technology development.
The contracts support ongoing work within the centre and demonstrate engagement from both domestic and international partners.
Commercial Activity Overview
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Contract value | £10 million+ | Combined value of agreements secured with 10 organisations |
| Partner engagement | Increased | Multiple organisations collaborating with DICE on diagnostics development |
| Market activity | Active | Early contracts reflect demand for fusion diagnostics expertise |
Industrial Applications Beyond Fusion
The centre will explore how diagnostics technologies can be applied to other sectors, including medical research and industries requiring high-precision measurement systems. This extends the potential impact of fusion-related innovation.
Such applications may create additional commercial pathways for technologies developed within the fusion programme.
- Medical research: Use of precision diagnostics systems in advanced imaging and measurement
- Industrial monitoring: Application of real-time measurement tools in high-performance environments
- Technology transfer: Adaptation of fusion diagnostics for wider commercial use
Supporting UK Growth and Skills Development
DICE will contribute to supply chain development by supporting UK companies involved in fusion technologies. It also aims to help train specialists required for future fusion programmes.
The centre’s activity is aligned with broader efforts to expand technical capability and workforce skills in the UK fusion sector.
International Collaboration and Future Role
DICE will act as a hub for collaboration with international fusion partners, providing access to UK expertise and facilities. This supports coordinated development across global fusion initiatives.
Over time, the centre is expected to contribute to the advancement of fusion technology and strengthen partnerships between industry, research institutions and governments.
Stakeholder Comments
Ministerial Comments
David Croft, Head of DICE at UKAEA said;
“DICE’s capabilities are growing steadily, with cutting-edge equipment now installed in our laboratories. But the greatest strength is our people. With decades of experience spanning diagnostics design, build, installation, analysis and operation, the DICE team provides expertise which is second to none.”
The launch of DICE establishes a dedicated national capability to advance fusion diagnostics while supporting industry collaboration and technical development. Early contracts demonstrate immediate engagement, and the centre’s focus on measurement systems positions it within ongoing fusion research activity across the UK.
Sources: UK Atomic Energy Authority; Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
