Jack Atherton

I completed my MPhys in Physics at the University of Southampton in 2024. In my final year, I worked on a research project investigating the single production of vector-like quarks at the Large Hadron Collider. Through this, I improved upon my computational skills and discovered how much I enjoy using modelling to understand complex physical systems. My interest in materials for extreme environments and in clean energy technologies naturally led me towards fusion research.

My PhD focuses on modelling hydrogen isotope transport in ceramic coatings for future fusion powerplants. These coatings, such as erbium oxide and tungsten oxide, are designed to act as barriers to tritium permeation while also resisting corrosion under the harsh conditions inside a reactor. Using atomistic modelling methods like Density Functional Theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics, I aim to understand how deuterium and tritium move through these materials and across coating metal interfaces. This research will contribute to improving tritium management and supporting the development of safer, more efficient fusion reactors.

 

Supervisors

• Tessa Davey