Michael Green
PhD Student - University of Manchester
Project Title: Influence of Hydrogen on Irradiation Damage Features in Zirconium Alloys
Michael graduated with a Master’s degree in Material Science and Engineering with Corrosion from the University of Manchester in 2021. His Master’s project was on the effect of radiation in zirconium-tin alloys, which was the start of a passion for the nuclear field. After a year in industry, Michael has returned to the University of Manchester to study the influence of hydrogen on irradiation damage. Hydrogen in present in the atmosphere and occurs in much higher quantities in water-cooled nuclear reactors, meaning that understanding its influence on materials in the reactor paramount for the safe operation of nuclear reactors.
This research employs experimental techniques to analyse both hydrogen-charged and as-manufactured ZIRLO samples at different irradiation levels to directly compare the microstructural damage evolution under irradiation. A set of samples are available from the Voglte reactor, which have been neutron irradiated over a number of years in service. These will prove very useful in determining the correlation between hydrogen presence and irradiation damage.
“Returning to studies with MIDAS has been fantastic. The research I’m doing will be vital to contributing to a carbon-free future, which is something I’m really passionate about. Everyone is incredibly hard-working, intelligent and friendly, which makes me really excited for the future.””