ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ

PhD Student

Abid’s research aims to develop machine-learning interatomic potentials for zirconium hydrides and utilize them in the atomic scale modeling of these materials. Zirconium hydrides are particularly important due to their adverse effects on the zirconium alloy cladding of nuclear fuels, such as hydride embrittlement and delayed hydride cracking. His research investigates the role of nuclear quantum effects on these hydrides' phase stability and hydrogen diffusivity to develop a clear understanding of their nucleation and growth mechanisms.

Abid completed his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 2016 and his M.Sc. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Dhaka (DU), Bangladesh, in 2019. He joined ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Sydney in September 2023 to pursue his PhD in Mechanical Engineering. His research is funded by the University International Postgraduate Award (UIPA) scholarship.

PhD Student

Harvey Ling graduated with a BEng (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering at ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç in 2023. Soon after graduating, he started his PhD in Nuclear Engineering (ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ) focusing on TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) particle fuel research. Harvey brings in years of industry experience from leading companies and groups like Tesla Inc. and ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Sunswift and he was also the concept design engineer for the ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç AtomCraft Nuclear Fusion device. Harvey is currently a project officer for the AtomCraft team and provides ongoing academic support and mentorship.

PhD Student

Hasliza Omar is a PhD Candidate in Energy Security and Policy at ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ's School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. Her research focusses on measuring energy security in a decarbonised future particularly in investigating the impact of the energy transition and clean energy systems on future energy security. During her PhD journey, she received the Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC (ACM CRC)'s RISE Fellowship Award for her contributions in the STEM field. She co-authored a position paper for Women In Nuclear for COP27, entitled 'Harnessing the Power of Nuclear - Clean Energy, Water, Transportation, and Jobs.' She currently holds professional position as theÌýVice President for the Australian Nuclear Association (ANA).ÌýÌýPrior to starting her PhD, Hasliza amassed a solid and varied 9 years of experience in the Energy (Oil & Gas, Nuclear) sector, covering areas such as Energy Policy, Economics, and Project Management. Her previous professional roles included offshore pipeline installation engineer, research project leader, lead academic tutor, and research assistant.

PhD Student

James' research focuses on synthesising and characterising UO2 nuclear fuel with select dopants to mitigate corrosive fission gas release. This has potential use in load-following applications for small modular reactors, as nuclear fuel cladding is expected to experience increased degradation from stress corrosion cracking. His research utilises the affinity of metal oxide dopants (i.e., Ba, Mg and Ca) to sequester corrosive iodine into secondary phases within a UO2 matrix, thereby limiting stress corrosion cracking and extending fuel life.
James earned his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Chemistry at the University of Wollongong. His honours project involved characterising transport pathways of terrestrially influenced air through the Southern Ocean.

PhD Student

Lucy is a PhD candidate developing alloys with increased hydrogen tolerance. In particular, her research focuses on zirconium, which is commonly used for in-reactor structural components and fuel cladding, and titanium, which may have future applications for SMRs, both of which are prone to hydrogen embrittlement. Her work involves both experimental characterisation and atomic scale simulations. As an undergraduate, Lucy studied both Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering at ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ, with a semester on exchange at ETH Zurich.

PhD Student

Melody’s research focuses on the development and qualification of accident-tolerant fuels for nuclear reactors, specifically characterizing how such fuels behave during accident conditions. Collaborating with ANSTO, her research leverages state-of-the-art neutron diffraction techniques. She is also studying the behaviour of fuel fission products through atomic-scale simulations, modelling the chemical behaviour of uranium boride fuels during burnup.
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Melody completed her degree in Chemical Product Engineering at ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç in 2022, for which she was awarded the ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç Chemical Engineering Prize in Undergraduate Chemical Product Engineering. She is passionate about science communication and encouraging and supporting women to study STEM.

PhD Student

PhD Student

Sercan is a Civil and Mechanical Engineer and a current PhD candidate at ºÚÁÏÍø´óÊÂ¼Ç with a keen interest in Nuclear Materials.
He obtained two Bachelor’s degrees with honours in Civil and Mechanical Engineering, as well as two Master’s degrees in the construction and energy field in Turkiye. After gaining experience in various disciplines in both the public and private sectors in Turkiye, he joined the group in February 2022, conducting research on refractory nuclear materials. His focus is on synthesizing and characterizing tungsten borides (WB) and high entropy borides (HEB) using arc-melting, electron microscopy, X-ray, and in-situ neutron diffraction techniques. His goal is to develop and design potential cladding and shielding materials for next generation fission and fusion nuclear applications.
Apart from his scientific pursuits, he enjoys playing football and chess in his leisure time.

PhD Student