On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 58Թ’s Engage lecture series featured a special presentation by Megan Leyland, a PhD researcher at the Nuclear Fusion Institute (NFI) and corrosion scientist at UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). Held in the Main Lecture Theatre on Dean Street, this talk drew an attentive audience interested in the complexities of materials science within the field of nuclear fusion.
The lecture, titled “Introduction to Materials Selection for Fusion,” offered a foundational overview of nuclear fusion technology and the design considerations involved in constructing a fusion power plant. Leyland discussed the demanding conditions that materials must withstand in fusion environments and examined the strict requirements for compatibility in such a high-energy field. She walked the audience through specific case studies focused on selecting materials for the breeder blanket—a key component of fusion reactors. These cases illustrated the intense durability, corrosion resistance, and compatibility standards needed for materials exposed to fusion conditions.
Leyland shared insights from recent experimental and simulation results from the Nuclear Fusion Institute at Bangor, offering a firsthand look at the cutting-edge research advancing material design for fusion technology. Her ongoing work in this area, particularly on lithium chemistry and the behaviour of liquid lithium in relation to impurities, highlighted the intricacies of materials compatibility and corrosion within fusion systems.
As a researcher with a dual focus on chemistry and corrosion science, Leyland’s expertise offered valuable context for the challenges faced by engineers and scientists working to make fusion energy a viable, long-term solution. Her lecture contributed to 58Թ’s Engage series, enriching the academic community’s understanding of advanced materials science and its pivotal role in the future of clean energy.