Scibar outreach: Materials Challenges in Nuclear Energy by Dr. Alex Carruthers

Alex (R), getting ready to start his talk.

Alex Carruthers a post-doctoral research associate from MIDAS has travelled around Manchester, giving talks to various chapters of the scibar community. SciBar is an established free monthly STEM event featuring a guest speaker in a pub. It’s literally ‘Science in a Bar’. This is an interesting event that sees people from a wide range of scientific literacy backgrounds in attendance.

In keeping with the MIDAS themes he spoke about materials challenges in nuclear reactors. The talk was delivered from the perspective of atoms. How they form structures that make metals strong and how they experience radiation. In order to cater for all audiences detail was given, for example a description of dislocations. But, this was brought back to the three main themes:

· Materials scientists spend a great deal of effort designing materials that have optimal properties for their job.

· Radiation rearranges these atomic structures and can undo the materials scientists hard work.

· By studying the effects of radiation, we can understand how the materials change and ensure their properties are sufficient to keep performing their task.

Common questions encountered from members of the public were in regards to fusion, and when/if ever will it be ready (which is a common topic in the public science sphere). Alex responded that there is still a lot of ongoing and interesting work in the fission community. From a materials perspective fusion is slow going because we simply ‘don’t have the neutrons’. To most accurately study the effects of a fusion neutron spectrum, you need a fusion reactor. There was understanding that there were significant difficulties in producing the fusion reaction itself, but less with regards to the materials effects. One member of the audience had a masters degree in physics, and stated that he had not considered the materials challenges to nuclear at all.

Alex explained to one member of the public that his Zirconia jewellery was sadly not made of nuclear grade material, but rather its rust.

There is a recording of Alex’s talk in April available from West Didsbury’s chapter of Scibar.