Amy Chen

PhD Student
Department of Earth Sciences
University of Cambridge

Contact: allc@cam.ac.uk

Sponsor: Industry

Layered carbides for reactor cores

There is an emerging class of carbide materials, known as MAX phases, that combine the ductility and thermal and electrical conductivities of metals with the strength and hardness of ceramics. I am focused mainly on Zr-based MAX phases and the aim of my project is to help assess the suitability of these materials in the nuclear industry. The future generation of nuclear reactor designs require safer, accident tolerant materials and these MAX phases are considered to have potential.

Zr-based MAX phases are not fully characterised or phase pure, so I am looking into further understanding the chemical and physical properties of this composition and investigating into what is preventing pure phase formation. I have utilised several analytical techniques, including micro hardness testing, EDS, EBSD, XRD, and solid-state NMR.

Achievements

I’ve been able to work with many collaborators within the UK and abroad over the course of my project. It’s nice to go to conferences knowing some attendees already and makes presenting and networking a little less daunting. Public speaking isn’t my forte but having done presentations and posters over the years has built up my confidence.

Highlights

PhD study requires a lot of independent work. I’ve enjoyed our group dinners and being able to spend time with the group outside the lab, such as playing badminton or going for ice cream in the summer.

Future plans

I have no idea. But I’d like to go travelling and try out new hobbies, so I may have a post-PhD gap year and give myself more time to decide.