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Chris Grovenor has interests in the application of advanced analytical techniques to understanding the relationship between chemistry and microstructure and the properties of functional materials.  Current areas of research include:

Oxidation and hyriding mechanisms of Zr nuclear cladding alloys (with Rolls Royce, Westinghouse, EPRI, EDF, Manchester University and the Open University)

Synthesis and characterisation of the new Fe-based superconducting compounds (with Dr Susannah Speller and Professor Andrew Boothroyd) 

Leadership of the group developing high resolution SIMS analysis using our CAMACA NANOSIMS 50. This includes studies of trace metals in both plant and human tissue samples (in collaboration with Rothamsted Research and the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine), and grain boundary segregation phenomena (in collaboration with the University of Nantes and Tata Steel).

The development of new superconducting/dielectric composite metamaterials under the QUEST programme grant (iwth Prof. Patrick Grant and QMUL, St Andrews and Exeter Universities).

Superconducting Metamaterials
J. Janurudin, Dr. S.C. Speller, Dr. C. Stevens*, Professor D. Edwards*, Professor C.R.M Grovenor
This project will study the fabrication, microstructure and properties of oxide/superconducting metamaterials to test the effective medium theory of these composite materials.   Simple resonating elements of Tl-2212 will be fabricated on single crystal ceramic substrates and assembled into volume of metamaterial  with ‘unnatural’ permittivity and permeability values.   (*Engineering Dept., Univ. of Oxford).(Funded by Royal Academy of Engineering, by EPSRC grant EP/I034548, and by a Malaysian Government scholarship [JMJ].)

NanoSIMS analysis of grain boundary segregation
H. Ayuni, Dr. S. Lozano-Perez, Prof. C.R.M. Grovenor, Dr. M. Green*, Prof. F Christien**
High resolution SIMS analysis allows the analysis of grain segregation profiles to a statistically significant number of grain boundaries in bulk samples.  This project will explore the application of this technique to  both model alloys (Ni-P) and commercial B-containing steels.  Supported by a Malaysian Government scholarship. *Tata Steel   ** University of Nantes

Radiation damage mechanisms in Nuclear Materials
A. London, Dr. S. Lozano-Perez, Prof. C. Grovenor
Radiation damage is a major degradation mechanism in materials in nuclear reactors, affecting both the mechanical properties and the rate of chemical reactions.  This project uses state-of-the-art analytical techniques to study radiation damage mechanisms in commercial steel and zirconium alloys.  Funded by the Black Family Scholarship and by EPSRC grant EP/I003274 with support from Rolls Royce and Westinghouse.

Radiation damage and precipitation in nuclear steels
J. Lim, Dr. S. Lozano-Perez, Prof. C. Grovenor
Understanding the effect of prolonged radiation exposure on the mechanical properties of pressure vessel steels is important for supporting the safety case for lifetime extension of existing nuclear power plant.  TEM studies of microstucture changes with fluence in real in-reactor surveillance samples is the focus of this project, which is part of the EU collaboration LONGLIFE involving 16 European partners.   

Thermal ageing of steels
P. Styman, Dr. J. Hyde, Professor C.R.M. Grovenor, Professor G.D.W. Smith
The atomic-scale changes which take place in the microstructure and composition of pressure vessel steels during long term thermal ageing are being investigated by three-dimensional atom probe techniques. (Funded by Rolls Royce and EPSRC.)

NanoFATE - Nanoparticle Fate Assessment and Toxicity in the Environment
C. Taylor, Professor C.R.M. Grovenor, Dr. A. Crossley, Dr. K. Jurkschat, Dr. C. Johnston
Nanotechnology is a major growth industry which faces the risk of not realising its full economic and societal benefits due to public concerns over the safety of nanoparticles. Concerns are largely based around uncertainties about what the human and environmental costs of their use may be. NanoFATE is an EU FP VII funded multipartner collaborative project led by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. NanoFATE has been conceived to fill knowledge and methodological gaps currently impeding sound assessment of environmental risks posed by engineered nanoparticles (ENPs). Our vision is to assess environmental ENP fate and risk in for example high volume products for which recycling is not an option, namely; fuel additives, polishing agents, personal care products and antibacterial products. To represent these products commercial ENPs of CeO2 ,ZnO and Ag will be followed through their postproduction life cycles, i.e. from environmental entry as 'spent product', through waste treatment to their final fates and potential toxic effects. This will test the applicability of current fate and risk assessment methods and identify improvements required for assessment of ENPs at an early stage. Programme FP7-NMP Project Reference: 247739

NanoSIMS analysis of trace elements in biological materials
H. Jiang, Professor C.R.M. Grovenor
Ultra-high resolution chemical analysis of stable isotope distributions in biological materials is being used to study how molecules are incorporated into human cancer cell lines, and the interaction of peptides with lipid bilayers. (In collaboration with Professor Adrian Harris and Dr Elena Favaro of the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, and Drs. Max Ryadnow and Paulina Rakowska of NPL.)  Supported by a China Government scholarship.

NanoSIMS analysis of trace metals in cereal crops
K. Moore, H. Taylor, Professor C.R.M. Grovenor
Trace metals are very important in the human diet, with both beneficial and toxic effects. This project explores the use of ultra-high resolution SIMS analysis of dilute metals in humal cereal crops, including As in rice and Se in wheat. The focus is on locating metals at the ppm level in cereal grain and studying the transport and sequestration mechanisms for these elements in the roots and to the final edible grain. Funded by EPSRC Research Fellowship (KM) and DTA studentship (HT). In collaboration with Dr Fangjie Zhao, Professor Peter Shewry, Dr Paola Tosi, Dr Malcolm Hawkesford and Professor Steve McGrath at Rothamsted Research, and Professor Chris Hawes at Oxford Brookes University.

Oxidation and hydriding mechanisms in Zr nuclear fuel cladding alloys
S. Yardley, Dr. S. Lozano-Perez, Professor J.M. Sykes, Professor C. English, Professor G.D.W. Smith FRS, Professor Chris Grovenor
The critical mechanisms that lead to breakaway oxidation behaviour and delayed nydride cracking in commercial Zr alloys in reactor environments are poorly understood, and yet they are very important in controlling the safe operating lifetime of reactor fuel rods and so the fuel burnup that can be achieved. This project is using the latest generation of advanced analytical tools to study the structure and chemistry of the oxide and the oxide/metal interface at the atomic scale in order to understand how the oxidation and hydridation process might be controlled by better design of the cladding alloy. Funded by EPSRC grants EP/E036384 and EP/I003274 with support from Rolls Royce, Westinghouse and EDF, and in collaboration with the University of Manchester and the Open University.

Characterisation of Fe-based superconductors
Dr. S. Speller, Professor C.R.M. Grovenor, Professor Andrew Boothroyd*
High resolution EDX and EBSD analysis techniques are being applied  to develop a better understanding of the phase separation phenomena that may control the superconducting and magnetic properties of single crystal samples of the Fe-based superconducting family.  *Clarendon Laboratory In collaboration with E. Pomjakushina, K. Conder, Laboratory for Developments and Methods, Paul Scherrer Institut

Modelling and quantitative interpretation of electron energy-loss spectra using novel density functional theory methods
Dr. R. Nicholls, Professor P.D. Nellist, Dr. J.R. Yates, Dr. S. Lozano-Perez, Professor N. Grobert, Professor C.R.M. Grovenor, Professor D. McComb*
The research proposed here aims to further our ability to use electron energy-loss spectra to solve real problems in Materials Science by developing new computer modelling methods and by using these methods to study real-world materials problems. Funded by EPSRC.

Growth and characterisation of thin film superconductors
T. Mousavi, Dr. S. Speller, Professor C.R.M. Grovenor
We are growing epitaxial thin films of the recently discovered Fe-based superconducting materials in order to explore how the properties can be controlled and their potential for future exploitation in practical devices. Most of our work is currently on the Fe(SeTe) system, and we make extensive use of TEM, SEM, XRD and EBSD analysis to relate superconducting properties to microstructure. (In collaboration with Dr Gavin Burnell, Leeds University).  Supported by an Oxford University Clarendon Scholarship

Structure/property relationships in metamaterials
Q. Lei, Prof. C. Grovenor, Prof. P Grant
There has been a great deal of international interest in the exciting electro-magnetic properties that can be achieved in metamaterials but very little work has been undertaken on how to process them in the large volume, techniques required for engineering applications.  This project will focus on using a range of microstructural analysis techniques to investigate how the morphology and chemistry of conducting phases in dielectric matrices develop during scalable synthesis techniques, and how these microstructures control the properties.  Supported by China Government scholarship and by EPSRC grant EP/I034548.  In collaboration with partners in Queen Mary London and Exeter Universities. 

13 public active projects

Speller SC, Hao T, Stevens CJ, Edwards DJ, Grovenor CRM (2008) Growth of Tl2Ba2CaCu2O7 Thin Films on Curved Substrates for Metamaterial Applications 8th European Conference on Applied Superconductivity, Brussels, BELGIUM, 16 Sep 2007 - 20 Sep 2007. Editors: Hoste S, Ausloos M. 8TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON APPLIED SUPERCONDUCTIVITY (EUCAS'07). IOP PUBLISHING LTD. 97

Yanmaz E, Ozturk K, Dancer CEJ, Basoglu M, Celik S, Grovenor CRM  (2010)   Levitation force at different temperatures and superconducting properties of nano-structured MgB2 superconductors J ALLOY COMPD 492(1-2):48-51 4

Ni N, Lozano-Perez S, Jenkins ML, English C, Smith GDW, Sykes JM, Grovenor CRM  (2010) Porosity in oxides on zirconium fuel cladding alloys, and its importance in controlling oxidation rates  SCRIPTA MATER 62(8):564-567

Yanmaz E, Basoglu M, Grovenor CRM (2009)  Anomalous ferromagnetic behaviour of Y2O3 and CuO nanoparticles in YBa2Cu3Oy superconductor   PHYS STATUS SOLIDI A 206(12):2844-2850

Moore KL, Schroder M, Lombi E, Zhao FJ, McGrath SP, Hawkesford MJ, Shewry PR, Grovenor CRM (2010) NanoSIMS analysis of arsenic and selenium in cereal grain   NEW PHYTOL 185(2):434-445

Warburton PA, Saleem S, Fenton JC, Korsah M, Grovenor CRM  (2009) Dissipative Enhancement of the Supercurrent in Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8 Intrinsic Josephson Junctions   PHYS REV LETT 103(21): Article number 217002

Lozano-Perez S, Yamada T, Terachi T, Schroder M, English CA, Smith GDW, Grovenor CRM, Eyre BL  (2009) Multi-scale characterization of stress corrosion cracking of cold-worked stainless steels and the influence of Cr content  ACTA MATER 57(18):5361-5381

Dancer CEJ, Prabhakaran D, Basoglu M, Yanmaz E, Yan H, Reece M, Todd RI, Grovenor CRM (2009) Fabrication and properties of dense ex situ magnesium diboride bulk material synthesized using spark plasma sintering SUPERCOND SCI TECH 22(9): Article number 095003

Weigand M, Speller S, Rutter NA, Hughes GM, Grovenor C, Durrell (2009)  Critical Current Densities of Isolated Grain Boundaries in Coated Conductors   JH IEEE T APPL SUPERCON 19(3):3569-3572

Saleem S, Fenton JC, Korsah M, Speller S, Grovenor CRM, Warburton PA (2009) RF-Current Effects on Intrinsic Josephson Junctions   Applied Superconductivity Conference, Chicago, IL, 17 Aug 2008 - 22 Aug 2008. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON APPLIED SUPERCONDUCTIVITY. IEEE-INST ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS INC. 19: 734-736

Yanmaz E, Savaskan B, Basoglu M, Koparan ET, Dilley NR, Grovenor CRM  (2009)  Complete flux jumping in nano-structured MgB2 superconductors prepared by mechanical alloying  J ALLOY COMPD 480(2):203-207

Dancer CEJ, Mikheenko P, Bevan A, Abell JS, Todd RI, Grovenor CRM  (2009)  A study of the sintering behaviour of magnesium diboride J EUR CERAM SOC 29(9):1817-1824

Smart KE, Kilburn M, Schroeder M, Martin BGH, Hawes C, Marsh JM, Grovenor CRM (2009) Copper and calcium uptake in colored hair  J COSMET SCI 60(3):337-345

Lozano-Perez S, Schroder M, Yamada T, Terachi T, English CA, Grovenor CRM  (2008) Using NanoSIMS to map trace elements in stainless steels from nuclear reactors  APPL SURF SCI 255(4):1541-1543

Speller SC, Dinner RB, Grovenor CRM  (2008) Growth of Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8 superconducting thin films on curved substrates for metamaterials applications   J CRYST GROWTH 310(18):4081-4087

Lozano-Perez S, Kilburn MR, Yamada T, Terachi T, English CA, Grovenor CRM  (2008) High-resolution imaging of complex crack chemistry in reactor steels by NanoSIMS J NUCL MATER 374(1-2):61-68

Wacey D, Kilburn MR, McLoughlin N, Parnell J, Stoakes CA, Grovenor CRM, Brasier MD  (2008) Use of NanoSIMS in the search for early life on Earth: ambient inclusion trails in a c. 3400 Ma sandstone  J GEOL SOC LONDON 165:43-53


Fenton JC, Korsah M, Grovenor CRM, Warburton PA (2007) Switchable phase diffusion in intrinsic Josephson junction arrays 8th International Conference on Materials and Mechanisms of Superconductivity and High Temperature Superconductors. PHYSICA C. 460: 1470-1471

Xie ZB, Henry BM, Kirov KR, Barkhouse DAR, Burlakov VM, Smith HE, Grovenor CRM, Assender HE, Briggs GAD, Kano M, et al.  (2007) Correlation between photoconductivity in nanocrystalline titania and short circuit current transients in MEH-PPV/titania solar cells NANOTECHNOLOGY 18(14): Article number 145708

Smart KE, Kilburn MR, Salter CJ, Smith JAC, Grovenor CRM  (2007) NanoSIMS and EPMA analysis of nickel localisation in leaves of the hyperaccumulator plant Alyssum lesbiacum  INT J MASS SPECTROM 260(2-3):107-114

Ahmed, S., Titchmarsh, J.M., Kilburn, M.R. and Grovenor, C.R.M. (2006). 'Examination of the influence of boron on the microstructure and properties of low C ferritic steels using NanoSIMS and TEM' Applied Surface Science 252(19) 7062-7065.

Dark, C.J., Speller, S.C. and Grovenor, C.R.M. (2006). 'The development of bi-epitaxial texture and high grain boundary J(c) values in Tl-2212 films on MgO substrates' Superconductor Science & Technology 19(6) 484-492.

Grovenor, C.R.M., Smart, K.E., Kilburn, M.R., Shore, B., Dilworth, J.R., Martin, B., Hawes, C. and Rickaby, R.E.M. (2006). 'Specimen preparation for NanoSIMS analysis of biological materials' Applied Surface Science 252(19) 6917-6924.

Speller, S.C., Wu, H., Rek, Z.U., Bilello, J.C. and Grovenor, C.R.M. (2006). 'Development of microstructure in T1-2212 thin films and possible influence on microwave surface resistance values' Journal of Materials Research 21(7) 1645-1657.

Warburton, P.A., Fenton, J.C., Korsah, M. and Grovenor, C.R.M. (2006). 'Josephson current suppression in three-dimensional focused-ion-beam fabricated sub-micron intrinsic junctions' Superconductor Science & Technology 19(5) S187-S190.

Xie, Z., Burlakov, V.M., Henry, B.M., Kirov, K.R., Smith, H.E., Grovenor, C.R.M., Assender, H.E., Briggs, G.A.D., Kano, M. and Tsukahara, Y. (2006). 'Intensity-dependent relaxation of photoconductivity in nanocrystalline titania thin films' Physical Review B 73(11).

Xie, Z., Henry, B.M., Kirov, K.R., Smith, H.E., Barkhouse, A., Grovenor, C.R.M., Assender, H.E., Briggs, G.A.D., Webster, G.R., Burn, P.L., Kano, M. and Tsukahara, Y. (2006). 'Study of the effect of changing the microstructure of titania layers on composite solar cell performance' Thin Solid Films 511 523-528.

Daniels, M.J., Zabinski, J.S., Wu, H., Grovenor, C.R.M. and Bilello, J.C.: 'Microstructure and chemistry of annealed Al-Cu-Fe-Cr quasicrystalline approximant coatings' Journal Of Materials Research 20 (1) (2005) 176-182.

Dark, C., Speller, S., Wu, H., Sundaresan, A., Tanaka, Y., Burnell, G. and Grovenor, C.R.M.: 'Grain boundary properties of T1-2212 and T1-1223 thin films' Ieee Transactions On Applied Superconductivity 15 (2) (2005) 2931-2934.

Grovenor, C.: 'Far out - putting new materials in space' Materials World 13 (5) (2005) 26-28.

Haigh, S., Kovac, P., Prikhna, T., Savchuk, Y.M., Kilburn, M., Salter, C.J., Hutchison, J. and Grovenor, C.R.M.: 'Chemical interactions in Ti-doped MgB2 superconducting bulk samples and wires' Superconductor Science & Technology 18 (2005) 1190-1196.

Xie, Z., Burlakov, V.M., Henry, B.M., Kirov, K.R., Grovenor, C.R.M., Assender, H.E., Briggs, G.A.D., Kano, M. and Tsukahara, Y.: 'Time evolution of photoconductivity in TiO2 electrodes fabricated by a sol-gel method' Materials for photovoltaics, Matter. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc.,836 (2005) L2.4.

Henry, B.M., Assender, H.E., Erlat, A.G., Grovenor, C.R.M., Briggs, G.A.D., Miyamoto, T. and Tsukahara, Y.: 'Gas barrier properties of transparent metal oxide coatings on PET film' Society of Vacuum Coaters 47th Annual Technical Conference Proceedings (2004) 609.

Kirov, K.R., Burlakov, V.M., Carey, M.J., Henry, B.M., Xie, Z.B., Grovenor, C.R.M., Assender, H.E., Webster, G.R. and Briggs, G.A.D.: (2004). 'Non-steady state operation of polymer/TiO2 photovoltaic devices'. Nanostructured Materials In Alternative Energy Devices. Warrendale, Materials Research Society. 822: 71-76.

Kirov, K.R., Burlakov, V.M., Xie, Z.B., Henry, B.M., Carey, M.J., Grovenor, C.R.M., Burn, P.L., Assender, H.E. and Briggs, G.A.D.: (2004). 'Non-steady state operation of polymer/TiO2 photovoltaic devices'. Organic Photovoltaics V. Bellingham, Spie-Int Society Optical Engineering. 5520: 68-75.

Rickaby, R.E.M., Belshaw, N., Kilburn, M., Taylor, A., Grovenor, C. and Brownlee, C.: 'Submicron-scale coccolith chemistry revealed by NanoSIMS' Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta 68 (11) (2004) A215-A215.

Carey, M.J., Burlakov, V.M., Henry, B.M., Kirov, K.R., Webster, G.R., Assender, H.E., Briggs, G.A.D., Burn, P.L. and Grovenor, C.R.M. (2004). Nanocomposite titanium dioxide/polymer photovoltaic cells: effects of TiO2 microstructure, time and illumination power. Organic Photovoltaics 4: Proc. SPIE. Kafafi, Z.H. and Lane, P.A. 5215.

Erlat, A.G., Henry, B.M., Grovenor, C.R.M., Briggs, A.G.D., Chater, R.J. and Tsukahara, Y.: 'Mechanism of water vapor transport through PET/AlOxNy gas barrier films.' Journal Of Physical Chemistry B 108 (3) (2004) 883-890.

Grovenor, C.R.M., Goodsir, L., Salter, C.J., Kovac, P. and Husek, I.: 'Interfacial reactions and oxygen distribution in MgB2 wires in Fe, stainless steel and Nb sheaths.' Superconductor Science & Technology 17 (3) (2004) 479-484.

Husek, I., Kovac, P., Grovenor, C.R.M. and Goodsir, L.: 'Microhardness as a tool for filament density and metal sheath analysis in MgB2/Fe(Cu) wires.' Superconductor Science & Technology 17 (2004) 971-976.

Kovac, P., Husek, I., Melicek, T., Grovenor, C.R.M., Haigh, S. and Jones, H.: 'Improvement of the current carrying capability of ex-situ MgB2 wires by normal particale additions.' Superconductor Science & Technology 17 (2004) 1225.

Warburton, P.A., Kuzhakhmetov, A.R., Chana, O.S., Burnell, G., Blamire, M.G., Schneidewind, H., Koval, Y., Franz, A., Muller, P., Hyland, D.M.C., Dew-Hughes, D., Wu, H. and Grovenor, C.R.M.: 'Josephson fluxon flow and phase diffusion in thin-film intrinsic Josephson junctions.' Journal Of Applied Physics 95 (9) (2004) 4941-4948.

Henry B.M., Erlat A.G., Grovenor C., Briggs G.A.D., Uyama H. and Tsukahara Y.: 'Microstructural and barrier properties of indium tin oxide films' Proc. 16th conference on vacuum web coating, AIMCAL, (2003).

Henry B.M., Erlat A.G., Grovenor C.R.M., Briggs G.A.D., Miyamoto T. and Tsukahara Y.: 'Permeation studies of transparent barrier coatings' SVC 46th Annual Technical Conference Procedings, (2003).

Henry B.M., Kirov K.R., Carey M.J., Grovenor C.R.M., Assender H.E., Briggs G.A.D., Webster G.R., Burn P.L., Uyama H. and Tsukahara Y.: 'Titanium dioxide/polymer photovoltaic cells' Pro. Photovoltaic Science, Applications and Technology (C79), R. Gottschaig, Loughborough, UK, (2003).

Kovac P., Husek I., Grovenor C. and Salter C.: 'Properties of as-deformed and post-annealed MgB2/Fe(Fe-alloy) composite wires' Superconductor Science & Technology 16, 292-296 (2003).

Speller S.C., Wu H.Z. and Grovenor C.R.M.: 'Buffer layers for Tl-2212 thin films on MgO and sapphire substrates' IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity 13, 2713-2716 (2003).

Warburton P.A., Kuzhakhmetov A.R., Bell C., Burnell G., Blamire M.G., Wu H., Grovenor C.R.M. and Schneidewind H.: 'Sub-micron thin film intrinsic Josephson junctions' IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity 13, 821-824 (2003).

Whiteley R.M., Goodall R., Moore J.C., Speller S.C. and Grovenor C.R.M.: 'Electro-epitaxial buffer layers for REBCO tape architectures' IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity 13, 2639-2642 (2003).

Wu H.Z., Speller S.C., Pal S., Edwards D.J. and Grovenor C.R.M.: 'Microstructure control in the growth of large area T1-2212 thin films' IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity 13, 2871-2874 (2003).

Henry B.M., Erlat A.G., Assender H.E., Grovenor C.R.M., Briggs G.A.D. and Tsukahara Y.: 'Vacuum web coater for the research of multilayer films' Proc. 16th conference on vacuum web coating, AIMCAL, (2002).

Warburton P.A., Kuzhakhmetov A.R., Chana O.S., Hyland D.M.C., Grovenor C.R.M., Burnell G., Blamire M.G. and Schneldewind H.: 'Multiple-peak switching current distribution in Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O intrinsic Josephson junctions' Physica C-Superconductivity and Its Applications 372, 322-326 (2002).

***4 studentships in nuclear materials
C.R.M. Grovenor / S. Lozano-Perez / P. Bagot / P. Edmondson

The Oxford Materials Department has established a major research effort in nuclear materials with funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and a number of global industrial partners. These new studentships are all externally funded and will offer the successful candidates the opportunity to join a very active team of 4 academic staff, 7 postdoctoral researchers and more than 20 students working on different aspects of materials design and materials degradation mechanisms critical to the nuclear industry, and to work closely with the funding companies.

***Studentships 1 and 2.  Atomic scale mechanisms of hydrogen pick up in nuclear fuel cladding
C.R.M. Grovenor/S. Lozano-Perez/P. Bagot/B. Comstock (Westinghouse)

These 2 studentships are part of a large international project on the mechanisms of hydrogen pick up in zirconium fuel cladding alloys, involving researchers and industrial partners in the USA, France, Sweden and the UK.  The detrimental impact of hydrogen on the performance of nuclear fuel is a serious issue for the efficient use of nuclear fuel in high burn-up applications. Understanding the mechanism of hydrogen pickup will provide a scientific basis for designing improved alloys.  Working on the same samples, the first studentship will concentrate on chemical analysis at the atom scale by state-of-the-art Atom Probe Tomography, and the second will work on transmission electron microscopy and high resolution SIMS analysis.  There will also be opportunities for undertaking experiments with the project partners, and spending time in their laboratories.

*Studentship 3.  Stability of Bubble Lattices in irradiated materials
C.R.M. Grovenor /S. Lozano-Perez/P. Edmondson

During the irradiation of nuclear reactor components in service, small voids or bubbles can be created that degrade the mechanical properties.  However, under certain conditions these bubbles can form stable lattices that are much less damaging to the macroscopic properties, and can allow the materials to have a much longer service life.  This project will use transmission electron microscopy and ion irradiation techniques to define in a range of nuclear alloys the dose, flux and temperature conditions under which stable bubble lattices can be developed using implanted ions to mimic neutron irradiation.

This project is only available to a citizen of the United Kingdom.

***Studentship 4.  Atom Probe Tomography studies of longterm ageing of nuclear pressure vessel steels
C.R.M. Grovenor /P. Bagot/ K. Wilford (Rolls Royce)

The Materials Department has a longstanding research partnership with Rolls Royce on the atomic scale changes of microstructure that occur in nuclear steels during thermal ageing which is intended to provide mechanistic understanding of similar changes during neutron irradiation.  These microstructural changes can strongly influence the mechanical properties of the steels and have implications on the service life of nuclear components.  This project will use state-of-the-art atom probe tomography techniques to study the precipitation processes in a unique set of nuclear steels thermally aged for more than 10 years, and there will be opportunity during the project for strong interaction with the sponsoring company.

These 3.5 year studentships will provide full fees and maintenance for a citizen of the UK or EU (the stipend is expected to be £15,500 per year, tax free).  Funding is available to all applicants, but the fees are covered only at the home/EU rate.  Therefore, overseas students would have to provide the difference between home/EU and overseas student fees from some other source such as a scholarship or personal funds.  For students who commence their studies in October 2012 this difference is expected to be in the region of £40,000 over three years.  Please see http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses /finance/index.html for a statement of the actual fees.

Any questions concerning the project can be addressed to Professor Chris Grovenor (chris.grovenor@materials.ox.ac.uk).  General enquiries on how to apply can be made by e mail to graduate.studies@materials.ox.ac.uk.  You must complete the standard Oxford University Application for Graduate Studies and further information and an electronic copy of the application form can be found at http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses/apply/index.html

Also see homepages: Paul Bagot Chris Grovenor Sergio Lozano-perez

***Micro-mechanical properties of advanced fission materials
C.R.M. Grovenor /S.G. Roberts

The Oxford Materials Department is expanding a major research effort in nuclear materials with funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and our industrial partners. The appointee to this new studentship will join a very active team of 4 academic staff, 6 postdoctoral researchers and 15 students working on different aspects of materials design and critical degradation mechanisms in the nuclear industry.

One of the key challenges in the study of existing and new materials for application in nuclear reactors is to undertake experiments on damage mechanisms at the scale at which they operate. This project will use and develop further novel methods which allow direct mechanical testing of microstructural features - e.g. grain boundaries, precipitates - at the micron-scale. The Oxford group will shortly be commissioning unique new apparatus to extend micromechanical testing up to 750°C (appropriate for materials for generation IV reactors). Two key areas of interest are the micro-mechanisms of delayed hydride cracking in zirconium alloys, and the strength of embrittled grain boundaries in structural alloys. The aim of the project will be to contribute experimental data to the development of new models for materials behaviour under the extreme conditions expected in new reactor designs.

This 3.5 year studentship is funded by an EPSRC project grants and will provide full fees and maintenance for a citizen of the UK or EU (the stipend is expected to be £15,500 per year, tax free). Funding is available to all applicants, but the fees are covered only at the home/EU rate. Therefore, overseas students would have to provide the difference between home/EU and overseas student fees from some other source such as a scholarship or personal funds. For students who commence their studies in October 2011 this difference is expected to be in the region of £33,000 over three years. Please see http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses /finance/index.html for a statement of the actual fees.

Any questions concerning the project can be addressed to Professor Steve Roberts (steve.roberts@materials.ox.ac.uk). General enquiries on how to apply can be made by e mail to graduate.studies@materials.ox.ac.uk. You must complete the standard Oxford University Application for Graduate Studies and further information and an electronic copy of the application form can be found at http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses/apply/index.html

Also see homepages: Chris Grovenor Steve Roberts

Atomic-scale Characterization of Catalytic Alloys
P Bagot / C Grovenor

Many industrial processes and chemical reactions rely heavily on the use of active metals as catalysts. For example, the key ingredients of automobile exhausts and fuel-cells are expensive metals including Pt, Rh, Ru and Pd. Maximising the efficiency of these is crucial for cost-effective catalysts. However a proper understanding how different metals behave in reactive environments has yet to be achieved; the surface composition of alloy catalysts can alter markedly from the as-prepared state under high temperatures/pressures. This project will use Atom Probe Tomography (APT), a unique facility in the UK, to investigate structural and chemical changes at the atomic scale on the surfaces of a range of alloys using a fully integrated reaction cell. The student will become an expert user of these advanced facilities, and be a member of the Oxford Catalysis Network.

Also see homepages: Paul Bagot Chris Grovenor

Fabrication and microstructural characterisation of novel iron-calchogenide superconductors
S.C. Speller / C.R.M Grovenor

In 2008 an entirely new class of high temperature superconducting compounds containing iron was discovered, and in the subsequent few months a huge number of different iron-based superconducting phases were synthesised.  This project will focus on bulk samples and thin films of the simplest of these compounds based on FeSe.  Up to 50% doping of Te on the Se site is known to significantly increase the critical temperature of these compounds, but there is considerable variation in the properties of samples made by different groups, and a lack of understanding of the detailed phase stability and chemistry in this system.  Our aim is to use sophisticated microanalysis techniques (SEM/FIB/TEM) to determine the local phase chemistry in bulk and thin film Fe(Se,Te) samples fabricated in-house and single crystals grown by collaborators elsewhere, to develop a better understanding of the unusual magnetic and superconducting phenomena observed in these materials, and to enable the fabrication of higher quality samples by optimising processing strategies and chemical doping.

Also see homepages: Chris Grovenor

Superconducting metamaterials
Dr Susannah Speller/Professor Chris Grovenor

Metamaterials - composites designed with spatially varying dielectric and/or magnetic properties - are of great interest internationally for novel communications devices.  Working alongside the team involved in the £5m EPSRC Programme Grant QUEST (http://www.quest-spatial-transformation.org/research.html), this project involves the fabrication of polymer/superconductor composite materials to extend the range of performance of conventional metamaterials and to allow the design of more sophisticated communications systems.  The student will become trained in a wide range of composite processing techniques, and will carry out microstructural and electromagnetic characterisation using techniques including electron microscopy, high frequency testing and SquID magnetometry.  There will be opportunities to spend time in the laboratories of our partner universities; Queen Mary, University of London, and Exeter University.

Also see homepages: Chris Grovenor

Processing of novel topological insulators in thin film form
S.C. Speller / C.R.M. Grovenor

Very recently, a new class of functional materials have been discovered that are bulk insulators with exotic metallic states at their surfaces, called topological insulators.  These materials are particularly exciting because electron transport at these surfaces is insensitive to scattering by impurities, making them attractive for spintronics and quantum computing applications.  This project involves the development of processing strategies for fabricating by sputtering high quality thin films of topological insulators such as Bi2Se3.  X-ray diffraction will be used to study the crystal structure, phase purity and texture of the thin films, SEM/EDX will be used to study the local chemical composition and TEM for detailed examination of microstructure.   Measurement of electrical properties will be carried out with our collaborators at the University of Leeds. 

Also see homepages: Chris Grovenor Susannah Speller

Also see a full listing of New projects available within the Department of Materials.