1. In-situ analysis allows for rapid optimisation of processing parameters, including the composition of final materials, synthesis times & temperatures and various procedures— foremost being in-situ analysis of Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP). [Ref. 1] First Wall/Blanket Diverter Strategic Components ITER (Present Materials) - First Wall / Blanket (Be/Cu-alloy/SS316LN) - Diverter (C plasma facing/W/Cu-alloy/SS316LN) DEMO (Future Materials) - First Wall / Blanket (RAFM Steels, W Alloys) - Diverter (SiC f /SiC,ODS Steels) Synthesis & Characterisation of Advanced Materials Surface Characterisation & Modelling - Surface/Interface Segregation - Radiation Enhanced Diffusion - Plasma/First Wall Interactions - Radiation Damage - Surface & Near-Surface Analysis - Modelling of Near Surface and Collision Cascades Monolithic Synthesis, Characterisation & Modelling - Advanced Ceramic Processing - Joining/Brazing/Diffusion Bonding - Novel Characterisation - Bulk Phase ab-initio Calculations Novel materials synthesis; achieved by tailoring the chemistry or crystal structure. [Ref. 1] ITER/DEMO designs are both contingent on the successful development of radiation tolerant joining techniques, suitable for operation at elevated temperatures. (+1100 o C) [Ref. 4] Advanced processing can reduce processing temperatures, improve bonding of dissimilar materials, improve stability at high operating temperatures and allow rapid recovery of radiation damage. [Ref. 3] * ITER Reference to the established ITER timeline illustrates the “realistic” impact of novel research on future development of fusion technology over the next 20 years. Specifically, the interface analysis (both theoretically and experimentally) of ITER first wall tiles, would be an achievable goal. Alternately, the broadest scope for novel research would centre on the development of DEMO test tiles, including the development of advanced materials capable of operation under higher neutron fluencies and at elevated temperatures (+1100 o C) [1] “Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis of Ti 3 SiC 2 : I. Ultra-High Speed Neutron Diffraction Study of the Reaction Mechanism”, D.P. Riley, E.H. Kisi, T.C. Hansen, A.W. Hewat, J. Am. Cer. Soc., Vol. 85, [10], pp.2417-2424, 2002 [2] “Comparative Analysis of Ti 3 SiC 2 and Associated Compounds Using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)”, D.P. Riley, D.J. O’Connor, P.Dastoor, N. Brack, P.J. Pigram, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys., Vol. 35, L1-L9, 2002 [3] “SHS of Ti 3 SiC 2 : Ignition Temperature Depression by Mechanical Activation”, D.P. Riley, E.H. Kisi and D Phelan, Accepted J. Euro. Ceram. Soc.. (Submitted 13/9/2004)(Accepted /10/2004) [4] “Synthesis and Characterisation of SHS Bonded Ti 5 Si 3 on Ti Substrates”, D.P. Riley, Accepted to Intermetallics 2005 [Ref. 2] *All images so indicated have been reproduced with the express permission of ITER, otherwise they have are the subject of research conducted at The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia, in collaboration with The Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), Grenoble, France.