Fusion Technology: Experiments with Digital Twinning

The project will combine accurate experimental work in a brand new laboratory with modelling using the state-of-the-art finite element software. The newly equipped lab will form part of UKAEA's new £50M CHIMERA facility designed to test components for fusion energy devices under high heat fluxes. The student will have opportunities to do fundamental research and measurement in convective heat transfer, to conduct large scale numerical simulation, and may get involved with issues arising from the operation of the larger facility. The student will acquire skills in digital twinning and uncertainty quantification valuable for a rapidly expanding UKAEA and many other employers.  

Fig: Convection in the simple "double-glazing" configuration shows boundary layer formation, layer instability, transition and turbulence, all potential issues for heat transfer in the larger facility.