2022 to Present
Cameron joined the group in September 2022 after graduating from his Integrated Masters in Physics (MPhys) at the University of Manchester investigating the use of two-dimensional materials as a means for sustainable production of hydrogen. Equipped with the skills and knowledge gained from a different discipline, he hopes to apply them when investigating the use of high entropy alloys (HEAs) in nuclear fission reactors.
Project: Novel High Entropy Alloys in Advanced Modular Reactors
In collaboration with the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), this project focuses on refractory based HEAs due to their high melting points and advantageous mechanical properties up to 1000°C: strength, creep, and ductility. Due to components within Generation IV fission reactors experiencing much higher temperatures and neutron doses than previous reactors, it is imperative to investigate and understand the viability of these alloys regarding strength, creep resistance, irradiation resistance and oxidation/corrosion resistance. This project will involve a combination of experimental and computational techniques to study the properties and behaviour of HEAs under different conditions, with the ultimate goal of developing HEAs capable of performing under the extreme conditions of a Gen IV fission reactor.