Postgraduate research
Advanced Microstructure Characterisation of Fusion Structural Materials subject to Simultaneous Creep and Irradiation
Qualification: PhD
Department: School of Engineering
Application deadline: 3 October 2024
Start date: 6 January 2025 or soon after
Overview
Supervisors
- Dr Yang Liu
- Professor Simon Gill
- Professor Bo Chen
Project description
Engineering assurance for the UK Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) presents a materials challenge, but also opens many opportunities to better exploit recent progress in advanced characterisation and modelling tools. A top-down design approach is currently considered for the materials qualification and structural integrity assessment for two key structural materials, namely, CuCrZr alloy and reduced-activation ferritic/martensitic (RAFM) steel. This approach takes the crystal plasticity finite element modelling (CPFEM) as the core simulation tool and aims to overcome the trade-off between accuracy and efficiency, realising its real-world applications. Creep is a high-temperature deformation mode which is highly influenced by irradiation during loading.
The aim of this PhD work is to characterise both deformation and fracture mechanisms in relation to the microstructural evolution of CuCrZr alloy and RAFM steel subject to simultaneous creep and proton irradiation. You will perform 3D correlative microscopy studies by using the UK’s first-of-its-kind characterisation facility (the Hercules package) to create microstructure-related material database. The rich information across length-scales will be utilised for calibration of the CPFEM models that rely on the capture of the most important microstructure features. You will also employ deep learning-based convolutional neural networks to automate classification and quantification of key microstructure features as well as detection and clustering of damage sites from images. This project also comes with financial supports for attending international meetings/workshops.
Funding
Funding
This College of Science and Engineering Studentship provides:
- 3.5 year Stipend at UKRI rates- For 2024/5 this will be £19,237 per year.
- 3.5 year UK or full International fees waiver as appropriate
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Applicants are required to hold/or expect to obtain at least a UK Bachelor Degree 2:1 or better, or overseas equivalent in materials science, mechanical engineering or relevant subject area.
The University of Leicester English language requirements apply.
In addition, successful applicants should meet the following
- Familiar with mechanics of materials (or physical metallurgy of steels or relevant metallic materials) preferably with some experience of analytical and numerical materials modelling
- Demonstrable experience of analytical and/or numerical materials modelling, via Matlab, computer programming/coding, and/or numerical simulation software (e.g. ABAQUS)
- Good written and oral communication skills and teamwork attitude
Informal enquiries
Informal enquiries
Project/funding enquiries to
- Dr Yang Liu yl832@leicester.ac.uk
Application enquiries
How to apply
How to apply
To apply, please use the Apply button at the bottom of the page and select January 2025 rom the dropdown menu.
With your application, please include:
- CV
- Personal statement explaining your interest in the project, your experience and why we should consider you.
- Degree certificates and transcripts of study already completed and if possible transcript to date of study currently being undertaken
- Evidence of English language proficiency if applicable
- In the reference section please enter the contact details of your two academic referees in the boxes provided or upload letters of reference if already available
- In the funding section please specify Dr Yang Liu Studentship
- In the proposal section please provide the name of the project supervisors and project title you want to be considered for (we do not require a proposal)
Eligibility
Eligibility
UK and international applicants may apply.
Applicants who hold EU Settled or Pre-Settled status may be eligible for UK fees. Please email a share code to pgradmissions@le.ac.uk and include your application number so that we can verify your status (The share code we need starts with S).
