Public Abstract

DE-SC0024668: Heavy Liquid Metal-Materials Interactions: An Integrated Education and Research Project

Award Status: Active

Institution: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
UEI: F6XLTRUQJEN4
DUNS: 868853094

Most Recent Award Date: 09/10/2025
Number of Support Periods: 3
PM: Echols, John

Current Budget Period: 09/01/2025 - 08/31/2026
Current Project Period: 09/01/2023 - 08/31/2026
PI: Anderoglu, Osman

Supplement Budget Period: N/A

Public Abstract

Liquid Metal-Materials Interactions in Extreme Environments O. Anderoglu, University of New Mexico (Principal Investigator) G. I. Maldonado, N. R. Brown, University of Tennessee (co-Investigators) B. Pint, M. Romedenne, S. Smolentsev, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (co-Investigators) The main objective of this project is to establish a unique, inclusive, and sustainable experiential-based research and educational program for the next generation of researchers and engineers in key areas of liquid metal (LM) coolant technology for fusion energy. The research will focus on the effects of external magnetic field on eutectic Lead-Lithium (PbLi) flow including magnetohydrodynamics and structural materials compatibility. The project will include both experimental and computational opportunities for diverse students by utilizing the unique capabilities and expertise of the participating partners, University of New Mexico (UNM), an R1 classified MSI institution, University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL), both with proven track records in FES programs. The Liquid Metal (LM) blanket in a D-T fusion reactor is responsible for energy transfer at high temperatures and tritium breeding and therefore is one of the most important components of the tokamak designs. Blankets are exposed to very high magnetic fields needed for the confinement of plasma in tokamak concepts. The interaction of high magnetic fields with flowing conducting LM is known as magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). The Lorentz force due to external magnetic field exerted on the flowing LM causes a pressure drop. Since MHD changes the flow stability and distribution, it also affects heat transfer as well as corrosion of the structural materials. This is an active research area which offers many materials and technological challenges to researchers, and outstanding opportunities to recruit young and diverse underrepresented students into new areas of fusion science and engineering. The proposed integrated educational and research project can be grouped into two components. The research component includes: (1) Establishing MHD capability to perform systematic experimental studies under external magnetic field, (2) Developing and validating multi-physics computational models of liquid metal fusion reactor blankets using the newly developed PbLi loop, and (3) Characterization of test specimens using various techniques and establishing structure-property relations. Concurrently, the educational components include: (A) Development of new course modules at partner institutions directly derived from the research subjects, (B) A new 1-week summer school focusing on liquid metal coolants, and (C) Safety-focused training required for handling of liquid metals and other related subjects.

Liquid Metal-Materials Interactions in Extreme Environments

O. Anderoglu, University of New Mexico (Principal Investigator)

G. I. Maldonado, N. R. Brown, University of Tennessee (co-Investigators)

B. Pint, M. Romedenne, S. Smolentsev, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (co-Investigators)

The main objective of this project is to establish a unique, inclusive, and sustainable experiential-based research and educational program for the next generation of researchers and engineers in key areas of liquid metal (LM) coolant technology for fusion energy. The research will focus on the effects of external magnetic field on eutectic Lead-Lithium (PbLi) flow including magnetohydrodynamics and structural materials compatibility. The project will include both experimental and computational opportunities for diverse students by utilizing the unique capabilities and expertise of the participating partners, University of New Mexico (UNM), an R1 classified MSI institution, University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL), both with proven track records in FES programs.

The Liquid Metal (LM) blanket in a D-T fusion reactor is responsible for energy transfer at high temperatures and tritium breeding and therefore is one of the most important components of the tokamak designs. Blankets are exposed to very high magnetic fields needed for the confinement of plasma in tokamak concepts. The interaction of high magnetic fields with flowing conducting LM is known as magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). The Lorentz force due to external magnetic field exerted on the flowing LM causes a pressure drop. Since MHD changes the flow stability and distribution, it also affects heat transfer as well as corrosion of the structural materials. This is an active research area which offers many materials and technological challenges to researchers, and outstanding opportunities to recruit young and diverse underrepresented students into new areas of fusion science and engineering.

The proposed integrated educational and research project can be grouped into two components. The research component includes: (1) Establishing MHD capability to perform systematic experimental studies under external magnetic field, (2) Developing and validating multi-physics computational models of liquid metal fusion reactor blankets using the newly developed PbLi loop, and (3) Characterization of test specimens using various techniques and establishing structure-property relations. Concurrently, the educational components include: (A) Development of new course modules at partner institutions directly derived from the research subjects, (B) A new 1-week summer school focusing on liquid metal coolants, and (C) Safety-focused training required for handling of liquid metals and other related subjects.