DrSamuel Humphry-Baker

Sam's research group develops high-temperature materials for extreme irradiation and thermal environments, with a particular focus on refractory carbides, borides, and hydrides. The research is supported by an EPSRC Open Fellowship and industrial partnerships with organisations including the UK Atomic Energy Authority and Tokamak Energy.

The group's work addresses two core challenges: (1) developing and processing novel materials with improved neutron attenuation and activation characteristics; and (2) understanding how these materials degrade in fusion-relevant environments, including high temperatures, corrosive conditions, and irradiation. By linking degradation mechanisms to processing and microstructure, the group aims to design materials with improved tolerance to extreme conditions.