MIDAS AT THE UNIVERSALLY COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

In celebration of its Bicentenary, the University of Manchester hosted the vibrant Universally Community Festival. This four-day event held between 6th – 9th June 2024, featuring exhibitions, community fairs, tours, and more. As part of the celebration, the Henry Royce Institute opened its doors to the public, offering an exploration of Marvellous Materials with various research groups, including MIDAS.

On June 8, 2024, the MIDAS team welcomed a diverse crowd of adults, teenagers, and children to their stand. Researchers shared insights into microscopy and the structure of zirconium. The event, which ran from 10 am to 4:30 pm, was free and open to all.

*Jolly MIDAS team excited to discuss zirconium!*

Exploring Zirconium: Hands-On Learning

At the MIDAS stand, visitors could touch and feel real zirconium metal, gaining a tangible understanding of this important material. Researchers explained zirconium’s crucial role in nuclear reactors due to its properties, such as its very low neutron interactions, corrosion resistance, structural integrity, and how MIDAS research aims to improve the material’s use in nuclear fuel assemblies. A miniature reactor model depicted the (green) fuel in zirconium cladding tubes, making complex concepts easier to grasp.

Interactive Demonstrations

One of the highlights was a demonstration using a pool table and balls to simulate radiation damage. Attendees fired at the pool balls, representing atoms, to mimic the effect of high-energy particles – neutrons, in a reactor. This visual and hands-on demonstration showed how repeated atomic displacements could cause radiation damage in zirconium leading to effects such as elongation, a challenge MIDAS researchers are striving to mitigate.

*Laurence explaining different terminologies in MIDAS research and the 2D ball bearing model.*

Understanding Atomic Structures

The stand also featured a model of the hexagonal-close packed (HCP) structure, illustrating the arrangement of atoms in zirconium, and how this arrangement affects overall material properties and performance.

A ball bearing model provided a 2D view of atomic arrangements, showcasing both crystalline regions with ordered arrays of atoms and amorphous regions with disordered atoms, separated by grain boundaries. This model also highlighted defects in the ideal crystal structure, such as vacancies.

Microscopy Insights

A video recording showcased the depths of microscopy and its significant impact on materials science. It emphasized that, while metals like zirconium alloys might appear uniform at first glance, microscopy reveals a wealth of detail. These microscopic features play a crucial role in how materials behave on a larger scale, making it essential to examine them to improve material performance.

Engage, Inspire and Connect

The interactive activities at the MIDAS stand made the day enjoyable and educational for all attendees. Participants listened eagerly and appreciated the opportunity to learn about nuclear materials. The MIDAS team connected with over 600 people showing the eagerness of the public to engage with material scientific discovery. The team remains committed to breaking down complex scientific topics while fostering a community of learning and innovation.

The University of Manchester Community Festival is an annual event that fosters public engagement with staff and students, facilitating meaningful discussions that connect and inspire. MIDAS’s participation in this festival provided a platform to share expertise in materials science and highlight efforts to develop cleaner, cheaper, and safer energy solutions for the future.