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Nucleation and Growth of Actinide Oxide Nanoparticles : Multiscale Modeling Using Molecular Dynamics and


Thesis topic details

General information

Organisation

The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.

Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.

The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
  

Reference

SL-DES-27-0046  

Thesis topic details

Category

Condensed Matter Physics, chemistry, nanosciences

Thesis topics

Nucleation and Growth of Actinide Oxide Nanoparticles : Multiscale Modeling Using Molecular Dynamics and Machine Learning

Contract

Thèse

Job description

The formation of actinide oxide nanoparticles (Th, U, Pu) in aqueous solution is a major scientific challenge, both for understanding their behaviour under environmental conditions and for better controlling the properties of future-generation nuclear fuels. The nucleation-growth mechanisms of these nanostructures remain poorly understood at the molecular level: experimental studies have revealed a growth mechanism that differs from classical nucleation theory, without being able to identify it. This thesis in theoretical and computational chemistry aims to model this process through a multiscale approach. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations (DFT+U, VASP/CP2K) will be devoted to studying the structure, diffusion and condensation of solvated actinide(IV) hydroxo complexes, the precursors of nucleation. These results will also be used to train classical machine-learning potentials, in order to simulate large-scale systems (with LAMMPS). Biased sampling methods will finally make it possible to access rare events (high activation barriers, collective effects). The project will be carried out in collaboration with the LSFC laboratory at ICSM, who performed the experimental measurements (EXAFS/XANES, SAXS and DLS) needed to validate the models. This thesis will allow the candidate to acquire fundamental skills in ab initio simulation and machine learning. Beyond these technical skills, the candidate will also be able to develop valuable experience in scientific communication, as well as in collaborative work with experimental teams. This experience will thus be an asset for a future career, in both academia and industry.

University / doctoral school

Sciences Chimiques Balard (EDSCB)
Montpellier

Thesis topic location

Site

Marcoule

Requester

Position start date

01/10/2027

Person to be contacted by the applicant

PIREDDU Giovanni giovanni.pireddu@cea.fr
CEA
DES/ICSM (DES)//LMCT
Institut de Chimie Séparative de Marcoule
Site de Marcoule - Bât. 426
BP 17171
30207 Bagnols sur Cèze

Tutor / Responsible thesis director

DUFRECHE Jean-François jean-francois.dufreche@icsm.fr
Université Montpellier
ICSM - Laboratoire Modélisation Mésoscopique et Chimie Théorique
Institut de Chimie Séparative de Marcoule
Site de Marcoule - Bât. 426
BP 17171
30207 Bagnols sur Cèze
04-66-79-66-28

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https://www.icsm.fr