This prestigious co-funded appointment marks a significant milestone in UKAEA’s long-term strategic partnership with the university.
Professor He, who will commence the role of chair in March, joined the University of Sheffield in 2011 and is a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
The UKAEA Chair in Fusion Technology will play an important role in developing the University of Sheffield’s position as an academic leader in fusion science, and their work and research will address the challenges in future fusion power plant design.
Professor He shared his excitement about the appointment:
I’m thrilled to bring my experience in nuclear fission to the fusion frontier. There is a massive opportunity here to solve critical challenges in cooling and safety through smarter modelling and collaborative engineering.
Alongside the UKAEA and our team at Sheffield, we are developing the technology to turn fusion power into a practical reality. Together, we are establishing South Yorkshire as a global leader in innovation and the heart of the UK’s fusion delivery.
Research interests
Professor He’s research interests focus on fluid mechanics and heat transfer, and he will be working closely with UKAEA’s Thermal Hydraulics team for technology development, alongside the Computing and Integrated Engineering divisions to maximise impact for scientific benefit to fusion.
Stephen Wheeler, UKAEA’s Executive Director for Fusion Technology said:
Professor He’s appointment is valuable for UKAEA and for our collaboration with the university. As we accelerate the development of fusion power plant concepts, we need world-leading expertise to address key challenges in fusion research, development and innovation. This appointment is central to ensuring we have the scientific depth and engineering capabilities required to meet the challenges ahead.
We are looking forward to working with Shuisheng. His collaborative mindset, experience in thermal hydraulics and passion for tackling complex engineering challenges embody exactly the strengths we value at UKAEA. I am confident that his support will be instrumental in our work whilst strengthening our strategic partnership with the University of Sheffield.
This is the second co-funded appointment made between UKAEA and the University of Sheffield. Professor Chris Race was appointed the UKAEA Chair in Fusion Materials in 2023.
A £3 million co-investment by the University of Sheffield and UKAEA was established in 2023 to develop new research programs to address global fusion challenges.
The 5-year collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing fusion science and technology in support of the UK’s future sustainable energy economy, bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application.