Development of printed microelectrodes for sensing in high temperature molten salt for fusion and fission nuclear energy
Raluca Scarlat, Professor
Nuclear Engineering
Open. Apprentices needed for the fall semester. Enter your application online beginning August 21st. The deadline to apply is Monday, August 31st, 4pm.
This project will investigate the feasibility of using printed microelectrodes for electrochemical sensing in molten FLiBe, with the long-term goal of enabling in-situ measurement of tritium concentration and diffusivity in fusion breeding blankets. The student will help fabricate, characterize, and test Si₃N₄-encapsulated platinum microelectrodes, studying their electrochemical response and degradation under high-temperature molten-salt conditions. The work will involve microfabrication, optical characterization, electrochemical testing, and analysis of electrode performance in aqueous and molten-salt environments. Particular attention will be given to understanding failure mechanisms such as Si₃N₄ delamination and improving electrode materials and geometries for operation in FLiBe. The project will contribute to developing a new diagnostic capability for molten-salt fusion systems, while providing broader applications in molten-salt reactors and high-temperature electrochemical sensing.
This project will also develop an open-source multiphysics modelling framework for electrochemical microelectrodes operating in molten FLiBe, supporting the development of new diagnostics for tritium monitoring in fusion breeding blankets. The student will use finite-element methods and open-source scientific computing libraries such as FEniCS to model coupled mass transport, diffusion, electrochemical reactions, and current generation around microelectrode geometries. The work will investigate how electrode size and geometry, diffusivity, concentration, temperature, and reaction kinetics influence the measured electrochemical response, with particular emphasis on separating concentration and diffusivity from experimental measurements. The models will be validated against analytical solutions and experimental data from printed microelectrodes and used to explore electrode designs and operating conditions that improve measurement sensitivity and robustness. The project will provide experience in computational multiphysics, finite-element modelling, electrochemistry, and open-source scientific software, with applications extending to molten-salt reactors, electrochemical sensing, and high-temperature energy systems.
Role: Electrochemical Testing: Perform cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical measurements in aqueous and molten salts. Learn: electrochemistry and experimental methods.
High-Temperature Testing: Operate experiments in molten FLiBe and evaluate electrode stability. Learn: high-temperature experimental techniques and safety.
Materials Characterization: Use microscopy to identify degradation and failure mechanisms. Learn: materials characterization and failure analysis.
Data Analysis and Modelling: Analyse current responses to extract electrochemical properties and compare electrode designs. Learn: scientific programming, modelling, and quantitative analysis.
Finite-Element Model Development: Build diffusion and electrochemical models in FEniCS. Learn: finite-element methods and computational physics.
Electrochemical Modelling: Model mass transport and reactions at microelectrode surfaces. Learn: electrochemistry and multiphysics modelling.
Geometry and Design Studies: Simulate different microelectrode sizes, shapes, and arrays. Learn: numerical design and parameter studies.
Model Validation: Compare simulations with analytical solutions and experimental measurements. Learn: model verification, validation, and uncertainty analysis.
Open-Source Tool Development: Develop reusable Python-based simulation and analysis tools. Learn: scientific programming and reproducible computational research.
Qualifications: For experimental work, the student should have a background in engineering, chemistry, materials science, or physics. They should have an interest in electrochemistry or materials science. Laboratory or experimental experience is desirable. Basic Python or MATLAB experience is preferred. They should be careful and safety-conscious when working with high-temperature molten salts.
For modeling work, The student should have a background in engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related field. They should have an interest in computational modelling and multiphysics. Basic Python programming experience is required, extensive experience (personal project on Github) is preferred. Coursework in heat/mass transfer, fluid mechanics, or electrochemistry is desirable. Experience with numerical methods or finite-element modelling is a plus.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Matei Ignuta-Ciuncanu, Post-Doc
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Related website: salt.nuc.berkeley.edu
Engineering, Design & Technologies Mathematical and Physical Sciences