The MeNaWir project aims at shedding light into elusive aspects of the mechanical behaviour of nanoporous refractory metals, focusing on nanoporous tungsten (np-W) and the effect of radiation damage on its mechanical properties. This will be accomplished by building a multiscale computational framework for the exploration of the mechanical properties of nanoporous metals for nuclear applications.

This framework will encompass state-of-the-art modelling techniques from different fields, including Fast Fourier Transform – Crystal Plasticity simulations, radiation damage models and plasticity at the nanoscale. To achieve this goal, MeNaWir brings together a researcher with expertise in nanoporous metals and materials modelling at the atomistic scale with a world-recognized supervisor with expertise in modelling the non-linear behaviour and fracture of complex microstructures at the continuum scale and a research institute with a record of excellence, technology transfer, and top-level training in Materials Science.

The specific objectives are to develop a framework for the computational assessment of nanoporous materials for the nuclear industry and to provide a window of optimal np-microstructures to guide the fabrication of np-W parts. MeNaWir could lastingly impact innovation on materials for fusion.