Project description
Reshaping the energy landscape with fusion energy
Energy has become a pressing concern in Europe, sparking a political and economic crisis. As fossil fuels wane, the quest for an eco-friendly alternative intensifies. Nuclear fusion stands out as a potential solution, offering a virtually boundless, eco-friendly energy source. However, engineering challenges stand in its way. The first wall of a fusion reactor faces intense heat, erosion, and sputtering. The MSCA-funded ALPS project aims to revolutionise the energy landscape. Its ambitious endeavour includes precision additive manufacturing (AM) of tungsten, tungsten-copper multi-materials, a high-performance tungsten capillary porous system, and rigorous testing of liquid metal walls in fusion conditions. ALPS represents a high-risk, high-reward initiative, uniting expertise in precision AM and liquid metal wall design and testing.
Objective
Energy is now the topic of a full-blown political and economic crisis in Europe. Nuclear fusion is a promising option to replace fossil fuels as a limitless, safe, and CO2-free source of energy. However, some challenging engineering issues must be addressed before fusion can supply electricity to the grid. The fusion reactor's first wall is subject to severe heat flux, erosion, and sputtering. Therefore, new materials must be developed. A liquid metal wall has been introduced as a viable solution to address all issues associated with the first wall of a fusion reactor. The ALPS project aims to deliver an innovative multi-objective design framework based on Additive Manufacturing (AM) of tungsten to address the main challenges associated with Liquid Metal walls and produce a state-of-the-art plasma-facing material for future fusion reactors. The Alps project will reach its goals by (1) introducing design guidelines for precision AM of tungsten, (2) AM of tungsten-copper multi-materials, (3) AM of a high-performance tungsten capillary porous system and (4) assessment of the produced liquid metal walls in fusion conditions. Since this is a highly interdisciplinary research topic, the ALPS project will connect two competencies existing at the applicant and TU/e, precision AM and the design and testing of liquid metal walls, through a European postdoctoral fellowship, to present a new concept of using AM in fusion research. The nature of this project is high-risk/high-gain. However, the existing competencies at the applicant, host, and associated partner (DIFFER) make the ambitious goals achievable. Contribution to fusion research as one of the promising sources of future energy is a strong motivation in the applicant to implement this research and push the state of the art in materials for fusion energy. Through this fellowship, the applicant will acquire new knowledge, skills, and competencies in top-ranked institutes to develop his career.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European FellowshipsCoordinator
5612 AE Eindhoven
Netherlands