Nuclear-Electric Modelling

这项工作将建立在学生已经完成的计算研究的基础上，作为他们物理硕士论文的一部分。这涉及使用计算方法评估利用中子辐照将钻石样品转化为基于氚、碳14和/或铍10的贝塔伏打装置的可行性。这类装置功率低，寿命极长，分别为12年、5730年和139万年。此外，所生产的原型将成为使用从核废料中重新利用的放射性同位素大规模制造钻石贝塔伏打装置的基础。此外，该研究还探索了钻石的电子行为，以优化此类设备的厚度，以最大限度地提高能量密度和功率输出。这项工作提出了几种人造钻石原型成分的设计，这些合成钻石将在未来几个月使用尖端方法在日本京都大学研究反应堆(Kurri)进行辐照。该学生开发的建模过程在表征钻石中的伽马能量收集方面也被证明是有用的，这是在聚变反应堆中使用钻石的关键过程，以及辐射探测和核废物管理。这种能量收集过程与其他越来越依赖模拟技术的创新能源行业类似。本博士学位是学生在硕士水平上完成的先前的“概念验证”研究的延伸，目的是对伽马和贝塔伏特钻石能量收集电池进行深入的建模研究，以优化设备参数和功率输出，以供未来商业化使用。这将包括开发基于钻石的伽马和贝塔-伏特装置，用于在聚变反应堆中直接核电发电。此外，它将建立在学生之前进行的关于层厚度和成分的模型的基础上，以及为贝塔-伏安应用的特定同位素配置的反应堆辐射进行中子学计算。学生将通过使用培训课程和设施以及跨学科实验室来扩展和发展他们发展起来的专业技能。这项研究还将利用现有的辐射设施和实际工作来验证从运行中的原型装置创建的模型。由此产生的实验数据使模型得以改进，并有可能适用于其他相关领域，如半导体物理、能源收集、辐射探测和核废料表征。在学习期间，预计学生将参加与其工作相关领域的国际会议，以扩展专业技能和知识。例如，复杂系统的计算模型，如人造钻石等材料的核和电学性质。学生在优化设备方面的工作也可能会受到关注，这些设备与商业化和商业模式的前景有关。在研究期间积累的计算技术和经验可能会出现新的机会和潜在用途，并将作为调查的一部分或以休假的形式加以探索。所涉及的实际工作将包括学生在国际设施，如日本的Kurri和在英国/欧盟/美国的各种辐照地点参加实验。该奖学金将通过50%的EPSRC DTA提供资金，并由CCFE通过EuroFusion计划提供案例支持。

This work will build on the computational study already performed by the student as part of their Physics Masters thesis. This involved the use of computational methods to assess the feasibility of using neutron irradiation to transmute diamond samples into beta-voltaic devices based upon Tritium, Carbon-14 and/or Beryllium-10. Such devices exhibit low power and exceptionally long lifetimes of 12, 5730 and 1.39 million years respectively. Furthermore, the prototypes produced will form the basis for the mass-manufacture of diamond beta-voltaic devices using radioisotopes re-purposed from nuclear waste. Additionally, the study explored the electronic behaviour of diamond for optimising thicknesses of such devices to maximise energy density and power output. The work has proposed several designs for prototype compositions of synthetic diamond which will be manufactured over the coming months using cutting-edge methods to be irradiated at Kyoto University Research Reactor (KURRI) in Japan.The modelling processes developed by the student also proved useful in characterising gamma energy harvesting in diamond; a key process in the use of diamond in fusion reactors as well as radiation detection and nuclear waste management. Such energy harvesting processes are analogous with other innovative energy industries where simulation techniques are increasingly relied upon.This PhD is an extension of the previous 'proof of concept' research the student completed at Masters-level to provide an in-depth modelling study of both gamma and beta-voltaic diamond energy harvesting cells to optimise device parameters and power outputs for future commercialisation. This would include the development of diamond-based gamma and beta-voltaic devices for direct nuclear-electric generation in a fusion reactor.Furthermore, it will build on previous modelling the student has performed regarding layer thicknesses and compositions as well as making neutronics calculations for reactor irradiations of specific isotopic configurations for beta-voltaic applications. The student will extend and build upon the specialist skills they have developed through use of training courses and facilities as well as inter-disciplinary laboratories. The study will also utilise available radiation facilities and practical work to provide validation of the models created from operational prototype devices. The resulting experimental data allows models to be refined and potentially adapted to other related areas such as semiconductor physics, energy harvesting, radiation detection and nuclear waste characterisation. During the study it is expected that the student will attend international conferences in related areas to their work to expand upon specialist skills and knowledge. For example, the computational modelling of complex systems like the nuclear and electrical properties of materials such as synthetic diamond. Attention may also be paid to how the students work in optimising devices relates to the prospects of commercialisation and business models. New opportunities and potential uses for the computational techniques and experience accrued during the study may arise and will be explored as part of the investigation or in the form of a sabbatical. The practical work involved will include the student attending experiments at international facilities such as KURRI in Japan and at various UK/EU/US irradiation sites. The studentship will be funded through 50% EPSRC DTA with CASE support from CCFE via the Eurofusion programme.