معرفی
Dr Mark Raine serves as a Research Fellow and Chief Experimental Officer in the Department of Physics at Durham University, where he has been a full-time core staff member since 2011. He manages the Fusion Energy Reference Laboratory within the Superconductivity Group and Materials Structure and Form intergroup, overseeing critical characterization work for international fusion projects.
His education includes a PhD from Durham University (awarded 2015) with an embargoed thesis on nanocrystalline niobium carbonitride that doubled the upper critical magnetic field and increased critical current density fortyfold, earning the Harry Jones prize from the British Cryogenics Council in 2016.
Raine's research centers on superconductivity for fusion energy applications, specializing in characterization of Nb3Sn and Nb-Ti strands for ITER's toroidal and poloidal field coils. His work encompasses critical current density measurements, upper critical field analysis, residual resistance ratio testing, and grain boundary behavior in both low- and high-temperature superconductors. He develops advanced measurement protocols for superconducting materials under extreme magnetic fields and cryogenic conditions, with recent focus on REBCO tapes and HTS cable systems.
His publication record (2013-2024) reveals consistent leadership in international round-robin testing initiatives for ITER, addressing critical challenges in superconductor performance validation. The work spans low-temperature superconductors (Nb3Sn, Nb-Ti) for fusion magnets and high-temperature superconductors (REBCO, BSCCO) for next-generation applications, with emphasis on anisotropy, strain effects, and microstructural limitations.
His primary recognition is the Harry Jones prize (2016) for doctoral research. Additional professional impact comes from securing major contracts including a substantial Fusion for Energy (F4E) contract for ITER strand characterization involving 10,000 measurements, plus subsequent contracts for Nb-Ti strand analysis and witness sample testing.
Raine directs the Fusion Energy Reference Laboratory, managing Physical Property Measurement Systems and Magnetic Property Measurement Systems used by departmental researchers. He actively promotes Durham's capabilities through international conference presentations, attracting global collaborators including laboratories from Japan, China, and Europe. His technical oversight covers project planning, data analysis, and day-to-day laboratory operations for fusion-related superconductivity research.