This EngD project is set within the Fusion Engineering CDT at the University of Manchester. Students will recieve a 3-month training programme in fusion engineering at the start of the course, delivered across the CDT partner universities. An EngD is closely linked to the industrial supervisor, and students are expected to undertake a placement. For further information about the CDT, please see our general page here or visit the website or send an email.
Future fusion powerplants will likely operate using a burning plasma consisting of deuterium (D) and tritium (T) gases, generating extractable heat and neutrons. The neutrons will interact with lithium in a blanketing system around the fusion device and replenish the tritium. The tritium is then extracted and separated, reintroduced back into the fusion fuel cycle. Tritium is a precious material, and managing it enables a sustainable and compact fuel cycle. Because of its small atomic size, permeation through materials is a common challenge. Developing permeation barriers to minimize migration and keep tritium within the primary handling systems enables smaller site inventories and processing systems for commercial fusion.
A common strategy for tritium permeation inhibition is the use of barrier coatings. For example, ceramic coatings such as erbia are commonly used as a tritium permeation barrier to minimise tritium retention, typically reducing permeation rates by order 102. A suite of coating material types is anticipated to be required for deployment in the different environments of the various tritium containing systems of a successful commercial plant, such as those within Commonwealth Fusion System’s (CFS’s) ARC fusion facility.
Within the framework of this project, the successful student researcher will design and fabricate novel coating materials and test them at the University of Manchester. Once fabricated, the materials will undergo a series of detailed characterisation and testing experiments using deuterium as a proxy for tritium at the University of Manchester including: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) to determine material crystal structure; low energy deuterium exposure using the DELPHI-II system to introduce D at the near surface regions; quantification of permeability using a high-temperature gas-driven permeation system (GDPS); and additional techniques such as Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy (TDS) to quantify the retained deuterium, Nuclear Reaction Analysis (NRA) to provide depth profiling of the retained D, and ion beam irradiation at the Dalton Cumbria Facility to simulate neutron irradiation damage within the materials to be evaluated.
In the early stages of this project a screening exercise will be conducted to explore a wide range of coating material options, identifying common crystallographic features between promising materials in order to improve the understanding of desirable material. Included in the screening will be a first of a kind study of novel high entropy alloys synthesised for this project.
At the end of this project, the incumbent will have detailed knowledge of materials testing and characterisation within the framework of the tritium fuel cycle for fusion power, and be able to make well-informed, rational decisions on the materials selection and design of low tritium retention systems.
This EngD project is set within the Fusion Engineering CDT at the University of Manchester. Students will recieve a 3-month training programme in fusion engineering at the start of the course, delivered across the CDT partner universities. An EngD is closely linked to the industrial supervisor, and students are expected to undertake a placement. For further information about the CDT, please see our general page here or visit the website or send an email.
The project is sponsored by Commonwealth Fusion Systems, and there may be opportunities to visit and conduct experiments at CFS’s headquarters in Massachusetts, USA.
Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425
When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.
Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:
- Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
- Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
- CV
- Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
- Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research, the area(s) of research you’re interested in, why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it)
- English Language certificate (if applicable). If you require an English qualification to study in the UK, you can apply now and send this in at a later date.
For further information on English Language certificate please visit this page: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/language-requirements/
If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.
