Having completed my MSci in Materials Science at the University of Cambridge, I am now studying for a PhD entitled, “The development of novel, low-activation alloys for fusion blanket applications” under the supervision of Dr Ed Pickering at the University of Manchester.
Conditions inside fusion reactors are exceptionally hostile, involving extremes of temperature and neutron irradiation. Directly adjacent to the fusion plasma in a Tokamak reactor is the blanket. It serves not only to protect the Tokamak’s superconducting magnets and supporting structures from high temperatures and energetic neutrons, but also converts the kinetic energy of the neutrons bombarding it to heat for power generation.
My research focuses on the development of new alloys for use in the blanket structure and characterising their properties.
Paul is now a CDT Alumnus
Linkedin Profile: Paul Barron