Visiting PhD student - internship

Job Title: Characterization of physical-chemical interaction in liquid metal / solid metal system as applied for fusion and fission rectors with liquid metals as functional breeding-coolant media.

Introduction

Liquid metals such as lead, lithium, lead-lithium and lead-bismuth eutectics, stannum etc. are promising breeding and coolant media for advanced fusion and fission reactors. During operation, these liquids interact continuously with structural metallic materials under demanding conditions, leading to complex physicochemical phenomena such as corrosion, dissolution, interdiffusion, and formation of reaction layers. Understanding the nature of these interactions is essential for predicting material performance, lifetime, and reactor safety. This research focuses on the characterization of the interaction zone formed between liquid metals and solid metallic materials using advanced metallographic and microstructural analysis techniques.

Objectives

The objective of this research is to investigate and characterize the physicochemical interactions occurring at liquid metal–solid metal interfaces relevant to advanced fusion and fission reactor technologies.

The work will primarily involve:

• • Preparation of metallographic specimens exposed to liquid metal environments.
  • Characterization of interaction zones formed between liquid and solid metals.
  • Microstructural examination using light optical microscopy (LOM).
  • Detailed analysis of reaction layers, corrosion features, and phase evolution using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
  • Chemical composition mapping and elemental distribution analysis using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS/EDX).
  • Crystallographic characterization and phase identification using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD).
  • Assessment of diffusion processes, intermetallic phase formation, and degradation mechanisms at the liquid metal–solid metal interface.
  • Correlation of microstructural observations with exposure conditions and material performance.

The results will contribute to a better understanding of material compatibility in liquid-metal-cooled and liquid-metal-breeding nuclear systems, supporting the development of reliable materials for future fusion and advanced fission reactors.