This project will focus on the modelling of fusion magnets made of high-temperature superconducting conductors (HTS). High critical current density, critical field and stability makes the rare-earth based high-temperature superconductors a promising candidate for powerful fusion magnets. Technological advancements from the recent years in 2G HTS conductor production, HTS cabling, HTS quench detection and protection, and the falling conductor price enables the fusion industry to seriously consider HTS-based tokamak designs. The project aims to address the challenges in HTS magnets design by developing new mathematical formulations for integrated modelling of HTS in 3D. This includes multi-physics modelling of HTS critical states to give time-dependent current distribution, magnetic field profile, Lorentz force, AC loss, and its coupling to quench modelling. Finite element method (FEM), or a combination of FEM with analytical methods will be explored to harness the improved computing power from high performance computing (HPC). This research will provide a digital tool for HTS application design and optimisation, with its capability to handle complex geometries in 3D at a fast computation speed.
The candidate will be working with Dr Heng Zhang and Dr Ruben Otin of UKAEA STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) program with the expertise of magnet technology and high performance computing. The candidate will also be under the supervision of Dr Min Zhang and Dr Qiteng Hong of University of Strathclyde.
The student will be part of the Institute for Energy and Environment (InstEE) at the University of Strathclyde which has established an international reputation in electrical power engineering research https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/subjects/electronicelectricalengineering/instituteforenergyenvironment/. It operates within the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering which ranks among top 100 in the World University Academic Ranking table. The EEE Department hosts over 270 researchers in state-of-the-art facilities including the Technology and Innovation Centre and the Power Networks Demonstration Centre
(PNDC) https://www.strath.ac.uk/research/powernetworksdemonstrationcentre/ . The latter offers an HV/LV MW-scale power networks test bed for industry-scale systems testing. These facilities are utilised by a significant number of industrial partnerships and programmes, including the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre in Electrical Power Systems.
Applicants should be educated to at least 1st Class/2:1 (or UK equivalent) BEng (Hons) level and will have a strong numerate, typically 1st, degree in engineering (electrical/electronic) or physics. The applicants should ideally have a background in/knowledge of finite element modelling. Demonstrable programming experience is to a great advantage.
The mission of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is to lead the commercial development of fusion power and related technology, and position the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy. Based at Culham Science Centre near Oxford, UKAEA runs the UK’s fusion research programme and operates the Joint European Torus (JET) experiment on behalf of scientists from 28 European countries. UKAEA is keeping Britain at the forefront of fusion as the world comes together to build the first powerplant-scale experiment, ITER – one step away from the realisation of nuclear fusion as a low carbon energy source. UKAEA also is growing a major fusion technology programme in areas such as robotics, materials testing and tritium science and runs its own, more compact tokamak MAST-Upgrade whilst embarking on the design of the UK’s own future compact STEP fusion powerplant
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