About the Project

Key Information

Open to: UK and international applicants

Funding Providers: FOSTER, UKAEA

Subject Areas: Mechanical engineering, fusion, digital

Project Start Date: October 2026

Supervisors:

• Professor P. Nithiarasu
• Dr Adesola Ademiloye
• Wiera Bielajewa (UKAEA)

Aligned programme of study: Mechanical Engineering, PhD

Mode of study: Full time

Place of study: Swansea University (Bay Campus)

Project description:

This project addresses a fundamental question concerning material failure under neutron loading in fusion energy components, particularly within the first layer of the breeder blanket. Previous work at Swansea has developed a multiscale platform that combines Monte Carlo simulation of thermal loading with scenarios of material transformation under realistic fusion-specific neutron irradiation.

The proposed project advances this work by incorporating the effects of stochastic variability in neutron loading, blanket geometry, and microstructural material evolution resulting from irradiation. These factors are critical for accurately predicting long-term material performance in fusion environments.

The research will also integrate emerging experimental data from future fusion-relevant facilities to validate the proposed stochastic modelling framework. By capturing uncertainty and variability more rigorously, the project aims to significantly improve the predictive accuracy of models used to assess structural integrity and lifetime of fusion blanket materials.

Eligibility

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline.

English Language Requirements: IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent.