Are you someone with a passion to continue learning? Do you believe a career is about putting something back into the world? Does having access to some of the UK’s newest and best research facilities make you feel like a kid in a toy shop? Consider becoming a part of our team!
About us:
Your PhD is part of the Saturn Nuclear CDT where you will work with a cohort of PhD students to further our understanding of nuclear materials-based research. You will be part of the Zr group which is a large welcoming team of researchers that focus on tackling industrially significant issues with regards to nuclear power. We are based in the Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials at the University of Manchester. The project will include industrial supervision from EDF energy and will include potential visits to EDF.
About your PhD:
Following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, resulting tsunami, and subsequent damage to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant complex, enhancing the accident tolerance of nuclear reactors became a topic of serious discussion. The safety of the nuclear power reactors has always been a top priority for operators and continual improvement of technology, including advanced materials and nuclear fuels, remains central to the industry’s success. Decades of research combined with continual operation have produced steady advancements in technology and have yielded an extensive base of data, experience, and knowledge on the performance of the components of nuclear reactors under both normal and accident conditions. Modern light water reactors have excellent safety where the UO2-Zr system meets all the performance and safety requirements. The industry however strives to develop alternative fuel systems that further enhance both the safety and efficiency the operation, which has led to the development of enhanced accident tolerant fuels (ATFs). Cr-coatings on traditional Zr alloys used in PWR nuclear fuel clad are being promoted as a possible, near-term technological evolution. Operators of such fuel need to understand the implications and benefits of using such a fuel variant in normal operating conditions as part of the substantiation of safe, reliable commercial operation.
A particular area of interest is the effect of Cr-coating on H2 uptake into the nuclear fuel clad alloy. There have been reports that such combinations of materials perform less well in this regard under certain conditions. It is important to understand why this is, and how manufacturing parameters affect this behaviour. This PhD would provide that understanding.
The key objectives of this PhD project are to:
1) Assess whether Cr coatings reduce hydrogen pickup compared to uncoated zirconium-alloy claddings.
2) Investigate the impact of coating defects, such as cracks and delaminations, on hydrogen diffusion.
3) Study the influence of coating deposition parameters such as substrate bias on hydrogen uptake behaviour
4) Explore how coating microstructure and residual stress affect hydrogen permeation and trapping.
As part of this project, you will be based in state-of-the-art nuclear laboratories within the Henry Royce Institute utilising advanced materials characterisation techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to study these Cr coatings
Expectations and Rewards:
During your PhD you will be expected to:
- Work with and support the MIDAS and Zr group
research group (MIDAS)
- Have a sound work ethic allowing you to manage your project with an independence.
- Provide regular updates and technical outcomes to Westinghouse
- Attend and present at both local and international conferences.
- Partake in graduate teaching, supervision or training of Masters students
There will be many rewards:
- Working as part of a large and experienced team means that you will always have someone to help.
- Flexible and hybrid working is supported and encouraged.
- Receipt of a competitive, tax-free stipend.
- Numerous opportunities for local and international collaboration and travel.
- Opportunities to develop a range of non-technical skills (presentation, organisation, leadership) through training, mentoring and a broad range of both university and externally run competitions and workshops.
- The Zr group has a 100 % employability rate, with all graduates taking on technical and managerial roles at universities, industrial companies, national laboratories and experimental facilities both locally and internationally.
Eligibility
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).
How to apply
Our application process can also be found on our website: Apply | EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Skills And Training Underpinning a Renaissance in Nuclear (SATURN)
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