EU Research and Innovation Projects

Driving Innovation through European Collaboration

Challenge

Need of radiation-hard materials with the resistance to pressure waves and thermal loads in line with the demands od Accelerator Driven Systems.

Search for carbide-carbon materials (CMM) with low density and high thermal conductivity (2x better than copper!) for society applications such as thermal management material, aerospace, fusion.

Solution

Tin barrier material characterization is performed under proton radiation, at CERN, in the IRRAD facility. Early results show that T91 steel, tantalum, and graphenic foils could significantly improve beam window performance due to their strength, stability, and conductivity.

For thermal management applications, together with the industrial partner Nanoker, we developed a new composite, chromium-graphite (CrGr), which can be sintered at relatively low temperatures and produced in large plates. This breakthrough reduces energy consumption by about 50% compare with previous CMMs and enables the production of larger, more cost-efficient components.

What’s next? EPITA (2026-2030)

EPITA (Enabling Partnerships for Innovation and Accelerator Technology Advancement) is the evolution of I.FAST, and we are currently in the proposal preparation phase. Our work package will focus on sintering of radiation-resistant components in high-power accelerator systems, on the high-level development of CMM with high thermomechanical properties, as well as on high-entropy alloys via additive manufacturing, in collaboration with GSI, University of Munster and industry partners (RHP Technology and Nanoker).

Societal and Industrial Benefits

The development of high-entropy alloys and CrGr will benefit particle accelerator applications, such as beam-intercepting devices (collimators, targets, beam dumps, windows). Radiation-tolerant, high-temperature high-entropy alloys, particularly refractory-based systems, are ideal for plasma-facing components in magnetic and inertial fusion. Training a new generation of multidisciplinary experts at the intersection of materials science, nuclear physics, and advanced manufacturing supports Europe’s innovation and skills agenda. See more here.