Research project title
Multiscale simulation of liquid metal systems for next-generation fusion power reactors
Education level
Master or doctorate
Director/co-director
Director: Fabian Denner
End of display
October 31, 2025
Areas of expertise
Other sources of energy (solar, wind, etc.)
Primary sphere of excellence in research
Energy, Water and, Resources
Secondary sphere(s) of excellence in research
Modeling and Artificial Intelligence
Unit(s) and department(s)
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Conditions
The successful candidates have:
- A strong academic background in fluid dynamics and numerical modelling.
- Programming experience, preferably in C++, related to numerical modelling.
- A proactive, team-oriented and curiosity-driven work attitude.
- An affinity for fluid mechanics, numerical modelling and scientific computing.
- Willingness to travel and spend time working at the facilities of our industrial partner.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- French skills are a benefit.
A transition into the PhD program is possible.
Detailed description
The transition to carbon-free energy is one of the defining scientific and engineering challenges of the 21st century. While renewable energy and nuclear fission may bring us close to net-zero emissions, only fusion energy offers the promise of a truly sustainable, safe, and abundant energy future, free of long-lived waste and proliferation risks. Among the leading concepts in fusion development is magnetized target fusion (MTF), in which a plasma is compressed to fusion conditions by the inward implosion of a liquid metal cavity, an approach that bypasses many of the traditional material constraints by using lithium-based liquid metals both as structural elements and tritium breeders. However, the rapid compression of the liquid metal blanket in MTF devices produces extreme pressure variations that can trigger cavitation, leading to potentially damaging effects that threaten reactor performance and longevity. Accurately predicting these effects poses a major computational challenge due to the wide range of length and time scales involved, from nanometer-scale nuclei to meter-scale reactor components.
This PhD project will focus on the development of a sub-grid cavitation model for liquid metals under MTF-relevant conditions. The candidate will build a quantitative model for the pressure-relaxation behavior of cavitating liquid metals and implement it within a high-performance CFD framework. This model will be validated using detailed experimental data from high-speed imaging and acoustic measurements, in collaboration with an experimental research group. In the final phase of the project, the validated model will be used in full-scale 3D simulations of the MTF cycle, providing a predictive tool to assess cavitation onset and identify design parameters that mitigate its effects. The ideal candidate has a strong background in fluid mechanics, numerical methods, or multiphase flows, and a keen interest in applying computational modelling to grand energy challenges.
This work is embedded in a larger research collaboration with academic and industrial partners and offers the opportunity to contribute directly to the development of next-generation fusion energy systems. The student would spent approximately 1/4 of their time working directly at the facilities of our industrial partner.
More information on our research can be found on the website of our group: www.polycfd.com
Interested candidates should please contact Fabian Denner via email, using the subject line "Fusion CFD".
Financing possibility
The successful candidate will be offered a competitive bursary. Funding to attend scientific conferences and visit our project partners is also available.
