Research
My project involves using DFT and STEM-EELS to study the degradation of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). CMCs are a promising new material for hot section components in turbine engines, but the degradation of these materials is not well understood. By simulating the core loss EELS for various degradation compounds, a library of spectra can be built, allowing for identification of specific compounds in degraded samples after they have been examined in the STEM. This will improve our understanding of how these materials degrade, and allow for better models of the lifetime of components made from CMCs to be developed.
Bio
I’m Tom, a 2nd year DPhil student in the Nicholls group. I studied at the University of Cambridge from 2017-2021 for an MSc in Materials Science. My masters project focused on using Orbital Free DFT with Ab-initio Random Structure Searching to study intermetallic compounds in the Al-Li system. I started my DPhil in 2021, and I am now using DFT to study the degradation of ceramic matrix composites.
