Student - Davide Panico

Name: Davide Panico
Student: Master Applied Physics

''During my studies, I found the curriculum to be really broad and diverse, with lots of different courses to explore and choose from.''

Hi, I'm Davide Panico. I started the MSc Applied Physics programme in 2023, in the "Physics for Energy" track. I'm really passionate about tackling climate change through the development of innovative nuclear reactors and making reactors safer, cheaper and cleaner, like the Molten Salt Reactors.

I was really interested in the potential of nuclear energy and that's why I chose TU Delft's programme. TU Delft is a top university in this field, with lots of experience in all aspects of nuclear reactor design, from neutronics to nuclear materials chemistry.

During my studies, I found the curriculum to be really broad and diverse, with lots of different courses to explore and choose from. The great lectures and the support of the helpful faculty members, including Arno and Aurele (the programme coordinator and director, respectively) who are always available to help with any issues or offer advice, contributed to a great experience and my overall satisfaction with the programme.

Despite the challenging exams, the excellent teaching and the passion and enthusiasm of the professors kept me engaged and motivated throughout. The interesting lectures never failed to capture my interest, making the demanding workload worthwhile. The student life is also really enjoyable, with loads of opportunities for personal and professional growth, thanks in part to the great work of VVTP/ASAP (the Student Association of Applied Physics students).

For me, the best part of my journey has been the chance to get hands-on with actual research. I joined Dr. Anna Smith’s team at the Reactor Institute’s Reactor Physics and Nuclear Materials group to look into corrosion in molten salt reactors. The research group is currently leading several European projects on innovative reactors, and they have fully equipped laboratories and the necessary permits for experimenting with radioactive uranium and thorium salts. Such capabilities are pretty rare in European universities, which makes TU Delft a pretty unique place for conducting groundbreaking research in this field.

Looking ahead, I've got my eyes set on continuing my journey in the field of applied physics, making tangible contributions to the development of Molten Salt Reactors. I'm really inspired by the enthusiasm and expertise of my professors, so I'm planning to continue with a Ph.D. to further advance my knowledge and expertise.

I'm really happy I chose to do the MSc Applied Physics programme at TU Delft. It's been great for keeping my interest in physics alive and for giving me the knowledge and skills I need to make a positive contribution to society.