UROP Project

Evaluate Corrosion Behavior of Materials under Fusion Reactor Conditions

Corrosion; High-Magnetic Field; High Temperature; Nuclear Fusion

Research Mentor: Junliang Liu,
Department, College, Affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: jliu@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 3
Relevant Majors: Open to all, but preferably with knowledge in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering.
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10 hours, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:

• Day: Thursday, September 4
  Start Time: 5:00
  End Time: 5:30
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99543915767
• Day: Thursday, September 4
  Start Time: 5:30
  End Time: 6:00
  Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/97605357610

Project Description

Fusion energy is a type of power that holds tremendous potential for solving some of the most pressing energy challenges facing humanity. Liquid metals (e.g., Li or LiPb) and molten salts (e.g., FLiBe) are promising candidates for both coolant and tritium breeding materials in deuterium–tritium fusion reactors. However, their highly corrosive nature, combined with the extreme conditions inside fusion reactors such as high temperatures, strong magnetic fields and high neutron flux, poses significant challenges for material durability.

Through collaborations with internal laboratories such as the Applied Superconductivity Center (ASC) and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL), as well as leading external fusion research institutions including Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), this project will investigate the corrosion behavior of candidate structural materials under a range of fusion reactor conditions.

Undergraduate research assistants will have the opportunity to design specialized liquid metal and molten salt corrosion crucibles for high-temperature, air-free testing, with the added capability of operating in magnetic fields of up to 8.5 tesla. Corroded fusion materials will be analyzed using state-of-the-art characterization techniques at FSU and at national user facilities such as ORNL.


Research Tasks: • Literature Review – Review of previous studies on liquid metal (Li and Li–Pb) and molten salt (FLiBe) corrosion, focusing on corrosion testing facilities, testing conditions, candidate structural materials, and their corrosion performance.
• Build a High-Temperature Corrosion Crucible for High-Magnetic Field Environments – Assist in designing a compact, high-temperature furnace (600–1000°C) for operation inside superconducting magnets (up to 8.5 T). Tasks include selecting non-magnetic, high-field-compatible insulating materials, creating CAD designs, and assembling components.
• Corrosion Testing – Support corrosion experiments in air-free environments. Responsibilities include preparing samples for tests, setting up corrosion tests, performing post-test handling in an argon glove box, and cleaning samples to reveal corroded surfaces.
• Assessment and Characterization of Corroded Materials – Evaluate corrosion performance through weight-change measurements and use characterization techniques such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) to reveal microstructural changes.
• Data Analysis and Dissemination – Analyze results to identify degradation mechanisms. Contribute to figures, reports, and publications, and present findings at group meetings and conferences.


Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
• Basic laboratory safety knowledge.
• Basic computer skills (e.g., Excel or Origin) for data analysis.
• Ability to follow experimental protocols, maintain accurate records, and work in controlled environments such as glove boxes.

Recommended:
• Familiarity with CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) for designing experimental setups.
• Develop an understanding of corrosion and electrochemical principles – rather fascinating since corrosion is always with us.