CURRENT RESEARCH

Spherical tokamaks offer many advantages compared to standard tokamak fusion reactors, such as enhanced plasma stability and higher cost-efficiency. However, the narrow central hole in spherical tokamaks presents severe space constraints and engineering challenges. Advanced radiation shielding materials are needed to efficiently attenuate the neutron and gamma radiation from the plasma and protect the high-temperature superconductors (HTS) from radiation damage.

My research focuses on understanding the relationships between the microstructural evolution of radiation shielding materials and their property degradation under simulated neutron exposure. Irradiation experiments are carried out at UK ion and neutron beam facilities, and the materials are characterised by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy (TEM, SEM, EBSD) and micromechanical tests at Imperial.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Microstructural evolution of materials under radiation: (i) advanced shielding materials for fusion energy, (ii) high-level waste glass and glass composite materials

Electron microscopy (TEM, SEM, EBSD)

BIOGRAPHY

-present: PDRA, Department of Materials, Imperial College London

2019-2023: PhD, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester

2017-2019: MSc in Materials Science, Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary

2012-2016: BSc in Earth Science, Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Zagyva T, Mir AH, Leay L, O’Driscoll B, Harrison M, Taylor T, Harrison RW, In situ TEM study of heavy-ion irradiation-induced amorphisation and electron beam-induced recrystallisation in powellite (CaMoO4), Acta Materialia, Vol: 261, 2023, ISSN 1359-6454, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2023.119391

Zagyva T, Kaufmann FED, Shubeita SdeM, Leay L, Harrison M, Taylor T, Harrison RW, O'Driscoll B, Microstructure and radiation tolerance of molybdenum-rich glass composite nuclear waste forms, Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol: 585, 2023, ISSN 0022-3115, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2023.154635