UOB
Engineering Additive Manufacturing Processes for the Design and Fabrication of Resilient Fusion Reactor Components
✓ Funded (Competition)
🎓 Aerospace Engineering
🎓 Automotive Engineering
🎓 Civil Engineering
🎓 Manufacturing Engineering
🎓 Mechanical Engineering
🎓 Mechanics
🎓 Mechatronics
🎓 Solid Mechanics
🎓 Structural Engineering
mechanical engineering
CDT
structural engineering
STEP programme
additive manufacturing
fusion reactors
manufacturing processes
resilient components
This PhD focuses on engineering additive manufacturing (AM) processes to design and fabricate resilient fusion reactor components, delivering scalable, high-integrity, and reliable systems in collaboration with industrial partners and through Fusion Engineering CDT training.
Project Description
Delivering reliable and economically viable fusion power depends on the ability to design and build reactor systems that operate safely under extreme thermal and mechanical conditions. As part of the design and build phases of fusion reactors such as the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme, one of the major challenges is to develop manufacturing techniques that can deliver complex, high-integrity and scalable reactor components.
This PhD project will focus on the engineering of additive manufacturing (AM) to support the design and fabrication of resilient components for fusion reactors. These technologies enable highly precise, modular, and geometrically flexible fabrication methods suited to the structural and functional requirements of fusion devices. Their adoption can reduce lead times, simplify assembly, and enhance reliability in the build of reactor systems for power generation.
Working in collaboration with industrial partners, the project will deliver applied engineering solutions that directly contribute to the design and build of future fusion power plants. The emphasis will be on creating practical manufacturing methodologies, validated engineering data, and digital process tools to support the scalable production of resilient, build-ready reactor components.
The student will also participate in a 3-month full-time Fusion Engineering CDT training programme at partner universities (Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool) at the start of the course.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, a relevant undergraduate or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials, or related discipline. Interest in additive manufacturing, fusion technology, and applied engineering is expected.
How to Apply
Contact Dr Kai Zhang (k.zhang@bristol.ac.uk) for guidance. Apply via the University of Bristol PhD application portal or CDT programme instructions.
Eligibility
UK/Home
EU
International
Supervisor Profile
DK
Dr Kai Zhang
University of Bristol, School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering
Related Opportunities
UOM
UOO
THE
UOR