Project Info
*Composite Membranes for Tritium Extraction
Colin Wolden
cwolden@mines.edu
Fusion holds the promise of providing and infinite supply of carbon-free power. One of the critical challenges for enabling this technology is the efficient extraction and recovery of tritium, an isotope of hydrogen with a short half-life. We are developing composite membranes specifically tailored for this application using state of the art nano-fabrication techniques such as atomic layer deposition and reactive sputtering.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Provide energy from fusion
https://www.minesnewsroom.com/news/new-composite-membranes-could-enable-fusion-based-energy
http://inside.mines.edu/fs_home/cwolden/Wolden_Webpages/index.html
https://doi.org/10.1116/1.5080720
Primary Contacts:
Myself, PhD candidate Adam Job
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Ideally a rising junior in chemical engineering, physics, chemistry or MME .
They should have interest and enthusiasm.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
5
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
Knowledge of thin film deposition techniques such as ALD and sputtering.
Associated thin film characterization including spectroscopic ellipsometry, FTIR, etc.
Introduction to fusion and hydrogen membranes in general.
MENTORING PLAN
The student would work in close consultation with a PhD candidate and there will be weekly meetings with the grad student and faculty advisor to assess progress and address issues that arise.
PREFERRED STUDENT STATUS
Sophomore
Junior