Cambridge Atomworks has appointed Dr. Tony Judd, a long‑time expert in fast‑reactor development, to its advisory board to advise on the design and development of the company's ODIN reactor, the firm announced Sept. 14.
Industry experience aimed at ODIN development
Dr. Judd served as Chief Technologist for Fast Reactors at UKAEA and was responsible for the national fast‑reactor research and development programme. His background includes operational management of the fast reactor power station at Dounreay in Scotland, work at Argonne National Laboratory in the United States, and teaching fast reactor engineering in the University of Cambridge engineering department.
Cambridge Atomworks is positioning ODIN as a high‑energy‑density fission solution tailored to provide reliable power with reduced logistical needs for energy‑intensive, off‑grid applications. The company says the technology targets local power requirements at mine sites and similar operations where conventional grid power is impractical.
What the company said
Ian Farnan, chief executive officer of Cambridge Atomworks, welcomed the appointment, saying the company is “very fortunate to have such an experienced reactor builder as Tony on our advisory board to guide ODIN’s development through design engineering and production phases.”
“Having led a massive national R&D program pioneering the development of fundamentally new reactor technology, Dr Judd has an incredible wealth of experience and deep expertise with tackling engineering and nuclear project management challenges. This experience would be invaluable for our design and development team,” said Eugene Shwageraus, CTO of Cambridge Atomworks.
Track record summarised
Dr. Judd’s career combines technical leadership, operational experience and academic work. The company highlighted his publications and noted upcoming and past books related to fast breeder reactors and the UK Prototype Fast Reactor.
- Operational experience: Managed operations at Dounreay fast reactor station.
- International work: Involvement with US Department of Energy projects at Argonne and participation in European fast‑reactor programmes.
- Academic and advisory roles: Taught at the University of Cambridge and advised international organisations including the IAEA and the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum.
| Role | Organisation / Context |
|---|---|
| Chief Technologist, Fast Reactors | UKAEA — led national fast reactor R&D programme |
| Operational Manager | Dounreay fast reactor power station, Scotland |
| Research / Technical Work | Argonne National Laboratory (US), University of Cambridge |
Local and wider context
While Cambridge Atomworks is a UK‑based firm, the appointment will be watched by observers in Canada and elsewhere who follow small‑modular and advanced reactor technologies. Governments, industry groups and remote‑site operators — including mining and resource companies — are tracking developments in compact, high‑energy‑density fission systems because such technologies promise to change how power is supplied to isolated industrial sites.
For Cambridge residents and regional technology observers, the news underlines two broader trends. One is the continued interest in advanced nuclear designs as part of the global search for reliable, low‑carbon energy. The other is the mobility of expert talent and ideas between international research centres and private firms as novel reactor concepts move from research toward commercial demonstration.
Cambridge Atomworks describes ODIN as aimed at reducing the logistical demands of delivering power to energy‑intensive off‑grid operations. The company’s announcement did not include a development timeline, cost estimates, or specific deployment plans.
The addition of an adviser with operational and programme‑level experience could assist Cambridge Atomworks as it navigates technical design choices, regulatory considerations and the practical challenges of scaling novel reactor concepts toward production. Observers say such expertise is often sought to strengthen engineering programmes and to reassure partners and potential customers about technical governance, though the company has not made public who its customers or pilot partners might be.
The appointment also coincides with Dr. Judd’s ongoing authorship: among his works is a forthcoming technical account of the UK Prototype Fast Reactor, scheduled for publication in November 2026, which documents historical achievements and technical detail relevant to fast‑reactor development.
Cambridge Atomworks, by naming a senior figure with decades of fast‑reactor experience to its advisory board, is signalling a commitment to strengthening technical oversight as it advances the ODIN concept. How that guidance will affect timelines and project decisions remains a matter for the company to disclose in future updates.
