Thibaut Dessolier

• Postdoctoral Research Associate

• Area of Specialisation: Digital Image Correlation, material characterisation by SEM, EDX, EBSD, FIB, TEM techniques, as well as in-situ micro mechanical stages.

• Working on Key Challenge 2 and Key Challenge 4.

Thibaut Dessolier is a postdoctoral researcher who focuses his attention on the characterisation and quantification of the deformation mechanisms of Zirconium alloys. As a member of the MIDAS team, the primary focus of Thibaut's work was to use a micropillar compression stage within a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in order to highlight the effect of the presence of hydride in zirconium microstructure on the active deformation mechanisms. To determine the nature of each primary slip system, a transmission electron microscope was used.

A second aspect of Thibaut’s project was to perform thermo-mechanical three-point bend test on hydride Zr specimens combined with the optical digital image correlation (DIC) technique. The data acquired as part of the MIDAS programme will help to better understand the effect of the hydrides on the crack propagation mechanisms.

Next Steps: Now that Thibaut’s time on MIDAS has ended, he has moved onto a new role as an Application Scientist at Thermo-Fisher Scientific., The work he began will be continued by others on the project, including fellow Imperial member Daniel Long.