Processing and characterisation of ceramics for nuclear applications

The successful candidate(s) will join the ceramic coating group in School of Materials, University of Manchester to develop ceramics for nuclear applications. The coating research group in School of Materials has collaborated with industry for more than 15 years and has been involved in development of ceramics and coatings for aeroengine and nuclear applications. The appointed PhD student(s) will have opportunity to collaborate with nuclear industry to study ceramics for nuclear fuel applications. The project is focused on both processing and characterisation of ceramics.

In this project, the student will use chemical vapour deposition and/or other chemical methods to produce ceramics, coatings or ceramic composites, then apply world class characterisation tools available in University of Manchester to study degradation mechanisms of ceramics in environments similar to nuclear reactors. The goal of the research is to extend lifetime and to enhance performance of the ceramics in such demanding environments.