PhD Studentship: Determination of Hydrogen Isotope Permeation and Trapping in Structural Materials for Fusion Reactors

Background

Fusion reactors offer a way to produce clean and abundant energy. Tritium permeation needs to be reduced in fusion reactors as this leads to widespread contamination of surrounding areas and systems and the loss of tritium. Moreover, permeation of any hydrogen isotope is accompanied by an uptake of hydrogen in the material, leading to degradation of its mechanical properties.

This PhD project will examine tritium permeation through various structural materials and potential anti-permeation coatings. Based in the School of Metallurgy and Materials at the University of Birmingham, utilizing the dedicated hydrogen laboratories and working with the UKAEA to understand and mitigate tritium permeation within the fuel cycle.

The Project:

This PhD will develop and understanding required to overcome tritium permeation, with the following objectives:

• Uncover the mechanisms driving hydrogen penetration.
• Evaluate the processes of different sites as a function of surface chemistry, microstructure, strain and any oxides present microstructure under fusion-relevant conditions.

Academic Supervision: Dr Dan Reed (d.reed@bham.ac.uk) and Dr Lydia Pickering (University of Birmingham).

Who we are looking for:

A first or upper-second-class degree in an appropriate discipline such as, materials science and engineering, nuclear engineering, fusion energy, chemical engineering, physics, chemistry, mechanical engineering to name a few. No prior experience is mandatory. Some knowledge of microstructural characterisation would be advantageous. A driven individual with an inquisitive mind.

Contact:

Informal inquiries should be sent to Dr. Dan Reed d.reed@bham.ac.uk. Please include your CV and transcripts.

Apply online via the above ‘Apply’ button.

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