Amount Awarded: $25,000
The present project launches a strategic partnership between the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) to investigate corrosion, and other material degradation mechanisms, chemical reactivity and chemical kinetics, physical chemistry, and conversion and separation mechanisms of materials under the extreme chemical and thermal conditions of molten salt systems. These phenomena in molten salts are central to, advancing sustainable metallurgical processing, enabling next-generation nuclear energy systems, supporting hydrogen technologies, and driving circular recovery of critical materials.
The collaboration brings together expertise in high-temperature materials processing, nuclear engineering, thermodynamic modeling, and electrochemical interface science. The aim is to understand how molten salts, reactive gases, and liquid metals interact with structural and functional materials, and to build a shared platform for experimental and modelling activities that support long-term innovation in sustainable energy and advanced materials.
Planned activities include (1) a jointly supervised pilot study on corrosion in molten salts, supported by short-term researcher exchanges; (2) a hybrid workshop hosted at UC Berkeley to define shared research challenges and future directions; and (3) a co-authored position paper integrating cross-sector insights to prepare for external funding proposals. Additional components include (4) joint online seminars, shared course content, and industry-led guest lectures; and (5) co-supervised MEng and MSc thesis work across institutions.
The project is structured to foster early-career researcher development, strengthen bilateral institutional ties, and generate proof-of-concept results that underpin larger international funding efforts. A dedicated MEng/MSc team project at UC Berkeley and NTNU, respectively, will explore the coupling of molten salt nuclear energy systems with pyrometallurgical processes, supported by joint faculty input.
This initiative provides seed funding for seeking a future externally-funded research program on decarbonization and resource sustainability enabled by molten salt technology.