Applications are invited for a PhD position at the Materials Research Division, Ris National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy, Technical University of Denmark, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute for Plasma Physics, and Tsinghua University. The position is available for three years from 1 December 2011 and is funded through the Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research (SDC).
SDC is a joint project on education and research between the eight Danish universities, the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (GUCAS) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The overall aim of SDC is to promote and strengthen collaboration between Danish and Chinese research and learning environments for the benefit of both countries. Renewable Energy has been identified as a key topic for the SDC cooperation and fusion technology has been selected as sub theme.
Research area and project description
One of the key issues in building future fusion reactors is the selection and development of materials being able to withstand the high temperatures as well as the high mechanical and radiation load which will alter the microstructures of the materials. The PhD project will focus on microstructural property relationships of materials relevant for fusion reactors.
Tungsten and tungsten alloys are considered as preferred candidates for the plasma facing first wall material of fusion reactors. In service, the materials have to withstand high temperature and radiation loads which alter the microstructure of the material. The continuous replacement of the instable microstructure leads to degradation of the materials properties, e.g. loss in strength and embrittlement. The aim of the project is to investigate the thermal stability of differently processed tungsten and alloys with focus on understanding thermal effects and the mechanisms relevant for property degradation as loss of strength and reduction of life span.
PhD scholarship in Tungsten for Fusion Reactors
