Program Overview
This unique MRes program in Materials for Fusion Energy equips students with advanced knowledge, research skills, and industry connections in the growing fusion energy sector. It combines coursework in nuclear physics, materials science, and project management with an independent research project, preparing graduates for careers in the industry or further academic study in materials engineering.
Program Outline
This unique degree course is designed to develop the skills and understanding required to prepare you for a career in the Nuclear Sector. One of the major challenges the UK faces is reshaping how it generates electricity, as it moves away from fossil fuels. As such there is a renewed focus on the UK Fusion Energy sector and with the announcement that the UK is going to be a next generation demonstrator reactor in the UK (STEP) there is a strategic UK need to have qualified people to deliver this programme. With more than 60 years’ experience in teaching the physics of nuclear reactors and more than 100 years’ experience of teaching materials science, Birmingham is one of the best places to study in this sector. You will be taught by experts in the field enabling you to gain strong theoretical and practical skills in the subject. The aim of this MRes programme:
- Equip you with advanced scientific knowledge, concepts and skills necessary for a research or technology development career in materials science and engineering in the fusion energy or a related sector.
- Provide you with the opportunity to carry out individual research project work in materials science and engineering related to fusion energy, to acquire the generic research skills necessary to engage in future research or study and to enable students to report research outcomes to an audience.
- Produce graduates with broad knowledge and research skills of materials science and engineering related to the fusion energy sector and hence prepare students for academic study and industrial employment.
- The programme will also aim to produce a pipeline of high quality candidates for doctoral materials research programmes such as classic PhD, new PhD with integrated studies and EngD. This programme can be taken on a full- or part-time basis. This one-year Course (full-time) comprises a major research project (two-thirds of the year) and five taught modules (one-third of the year), which are taken within the first semester.
Outline:
The MRes programme is rooted in high-quality teaching and learning through enquiry-based and independent study, producing high calibre graduates equipped with the skills to excel in a technical role in the materials sector. The will work closely with Culham Centre for Fusion Energy to ensure the content remains relevant in the fast-changing landscape of the UK Fusion sector. World-leading facilities including two particle accelerators which can be used to simulate the effect of radiation on power plant components.
Modules:
- Introduction to Materials Science (10 credits): The module is intended to introduce Materials Science to students with a first degree in physical science or engineering other than Materials. It will introduce the relationship between processing, microstructure and properties for the main classes of materials: metals, polymers, ceramics and composites. The understanding of materials microstructures will be underpinned by knowledge of crystal structures and phase diagrams. The relationship between material microstructures and common physical and mechanical properties of materials will be introduced. This will be delivered with a focus on the Nuclear industry.
- Fusion (10 credits): The module covers the physics underpinning the production of electrical power by fusion reactors. It will introduce the basic nuclear physics of the processes of fusion, putting this in the context of nuclear binding energies. The ideas of fusion reactions in plasmas will be discussed as well as current and future reactor designs. The understanding of the transport of radiation through materials, and methods of designing appropriate shielding for radiation facilities will also be covered. This includes structural metals and alloys, composites and functional coatings. The manufacturing techniques of fusion materials including novel welding and additive manufacturing techniques and the resultant microstructures are described. The degradation of materials under fusion relevant conditions are described. This includes interaction between structural metals such as reduced activation ferritic martensitic steels with coolants (for instance water and liquid metal); reactivity of first wall material such as beryllium with air and steam, degradation of insulating ceramics under high temperature and neutron radiation. The module will be divided into two parts. The first part focuses on the radiation damage process and provides the formalism for the prediction of the amount and spatial configuration of the damage produced by bombarding particles. The second part focuses on the physical and mechanical effects of radiation damage on materials.
- Material and Manufacturing Certification, Intellectual Property and Project Management (10 credits): The module will develop an understanding of the use of international standards in the production and use of materials. It will explain the methods used to certify materials and manufacturing processes for use in safety critical applications. It will also develop an understanding intellectual property and methods to protect it, such as patents, as well as covering the basics of export control. An understanding of the methods used in project management will be developed.
- Individual Research Project (120 credits): The research project is an independent comprehensive piece of novel research which is carried out in one of a broad range of topics related to Materials Science and Engineering over the full duration of the programme. These are conducted in any one of the Research Groups within the School of Metallurgy and Materials related to the students interests. This module will develop the student’s ability to work as an independent engineering/scientific research and develop their ability to critically evaluate the literature in the given subject as well as plan and conduct complex and novel experiments to address any research gaps found.
Assessment:
The programme uses a diverse range of assessment methods to develop the skills required. This includes group and individual projects, critical reviews of subject material, laboratory reports, technical reports and presentations as well as traditional examinations.
Teaching:
This unique one-year master course comprises five taught modules all taken in the first semester and an individual research project carried throughout the full year. The programme is currently delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, project-based and laboratory-based teaching and learning methods. In addition to technical modules, the course also provides training for transferable skills. You can expect to be exposed throughout to up-to-date knowledge of current and future trends in this field whilst developing the skills of critical evaluation and analysis that you will need as an scientist/engineer of tomorrow. The research project involves carrying out full-time research for the entire of the academic year and can be carried out in the School of Metallurgy and Materials or within a company in industry. Research projects can take place in a broad range of topics related to Materials Science and Engineering in any of the research groups within the School of Metallurgy and Materials or with our industry collaborators.
Careers:
This programme is a response to the current skills shortage in this area and trains high quality graduates for the nuclear industry. This is a growing sector and the demand for graduates will increase resulting in an excellent potential or rewarding careers.
Other:
Example of Materials for Fusion Energy MRes Research Projects:
- Effect of irradiation on the evolution of microstructure and properties of tungsten alloys
- Design of irradiation resistant refractory high entropy alloys for fusion
Annual Tuition Fees 2024/25 academic year £4,786 UK students, full-time £27,360 International students, full-time Learn more about fees and funding. A bench fee may be required at £2,000 to cover costs of experimental project.
