Overview
This project is part of a 4 year Dual PhD degree programme between the National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan and the University of Liverpool in England. As Part of the NTHU-UoL Dual PhD Award students are in the unique position of being able to gain 2 PhD awards at the end of their degree from two internationally recognised world leading Universities. As well as benefiting from a rich cultural experience, Students can draw on large scale national facilities of both countries and create a worldwide network of contacts across 2 continents.
About this opportunity
Rel
iable, efficient nuclear energy is critical to achieving a net-zero future. Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) are a promising Generation IV reactor technology in which nuclear fuel is dissolved in a molten salt coolant (FLiNaK). This design offers higher thermal efficiency than traditional Light Water Reactors (LWRs) and enables the use of alternative fissile isotopes. However, a key challenge lies in developing structural materials that can withstand the corrosive, radioactive salt environment while maintaining their mechanical and chemical integrity over time.
Molten salt corrosion is a complex phenomenon involving multiple processes, including the loss of constituent elements from structural alloys (leading to wall thinning) and preferential leaching that modifies surface layers. While using highly purified salts can mitigate some corrosion, real MSR systems undergo continual changes in salt chemistry due to burn-up and radiation effects, which introduces new challenges.
This project, in collaboration with Copenhagen Atomics (CA), will investigate molten salt corrosion in conventional and advanced low activation high entropy alloys under realistic reactor-like conditions. Experimental work will be designed to develop a synergistic understanding of how evolving salt chemistry and radiation affect corrosion behaviour. Corroded specimens will be characterised using advanced chemical, structural, and depth-resolved microstructural techniques to understand corrosion kinetics and atomic-scale modifications. The outcomes will contribute to designing more durable materials, supporting the development of next-generation MSRs.
This PhD is delivered through the dual NTHU–University of Liverpool programme. The first two years will be spent at NTHU (Prof. Fan-Yi Ouyang) and will focus on new alloy materials design and fabrication, irradiation, and advanced synchrotron characterisation. The following two years at Liverpool (Prof. Maulik Patel) will focus on electron microscopy, diffraction analysis of irradiated materials, long-term corrosion studies, electrochemistry, and combined testing. This arrangement provides unparalleled access to complementary facilities spanning ion irradiations, NSSRC, molten salt loops, and advanced microscopy—forming a uniquely powerful training environment.