Energy materials

Hydrogen storage materials

When hydrogen is introduced into various metals, hydrides are formed, a characteristic that can be used for hydrogen storage applications. At the Tandem Laboratory, we study hydrides in different transition metal alloys and systems of reduced dimensionality that can offer high loading capacities and reversible hydrogen storage solution. Ion beam analysis methods can be employed to accurately obtain the chemical composition of these alloys and to quantify and depth profile hydrogen. It is even possible to gain information on hydrogen site locations and induced changes to the lattice of the host material.

Fusion materials

In future fusion reactors, the materials used for walls and other parts will be subjected to extreme conditions from the fusion plasma. At the Tandem Laboratory we can perform in-situ and real-time laboratory-scale studies to investigate the formation and modification of these plasma-facing components under reactor-relevant conditions. We also analyse tiles and samples removed from tokamaks after experimental campaigns to estimate fuel retention and materials modification caused by reactor operation. Our fundamental research on ion-solid interactions provides relevant nuclear data for simulations of fusion environments as well as further improves our capabilities within ion beam analysis.

Photochromic materials

Selected publications