https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/nef-blog daily 0.75 2020-12-08 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/nef-blog/lockdown-skill-zen-rock-balancing monthly 0.5 2020-10-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1592914146159-0B6AS86UA5HQ35B4VNIK/DSC00530.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1592911329810-3ZTLC5RHBYSR8X8PAV1L/IMG_20200407_160823.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1592914795798-8Y1G44FKFQ6G0A8WJYB9/DSC00413.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1592911681996-8SMV96OMLHOHHCINE0LT/DSC00044.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1592914382190-LAIQ3N7CEHVQU04FOKHL/DSC00073.jpg https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/nef-blog/blog-post-title-three-gshc7 monthly 0.5 2020-07-07 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/nef-blog/blog-post-title-one-y6hdp monthly 0.5 2020-07-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1594377546063-2EUJKXC3BCSEVK58UHLB/particlephysicsbrickbybrick.png NEF Blog - Best Books to Read (July 2020) - Particle Physics Brick by Brick Atomic and Subatomic Physics Explained… in Lego® by Dr Ben Still Recommended by: Jamie Davidson Quantum physics is a complex subject describing the interaction of abstract bodies of incomprehensibly small sizes; however, Dr Ben Still reimagines this notoriously mind-bending field through the lens of the world favourite building blocks. The book tackles issues from antimatter to z-bosons, constructing atoms from the smallest known particles in the universe to create simple and understandable models which break down even the most complex particles into a simple stack of colourful plastic bricks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1594132386423-FQ5MP44W9J2UYA1GXASW/Climate+Gamble.jpg NEF Blog - Best Books to Read (July 2020) - Climate Gamble Is Anti-Nuclear Activism Endangering our Future? by Rauli Partanen & Janne M. Korhonen Recommended by: Dom Brennan This book gives a systematic and objective view at the effects anti-nuclear rhetoric and policies have on global emissions and the subsequent environmental impacts. They have recently published another book: The Dark Horse, much along the same lines https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1594377186627-8D39Z7KUR9SZ15R6U5WA/engineering+a+beginners+guide.jpg NEF Blog - Best Books to Read (July 2020) - Engineering: A Beginners Guide by Natasha McCarthy Recommended by: Mercedes Baxter Chinery I read this book for my personal statement and found it really interesting – learning about the history of engineering, the development of engineering disciplines as society changed, the engineering process and how people can make lasting impacts in manufacturing, design and construction methods has stuck with me throughout my degree. https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/nef-blog/another-article monthly 0.5 2020-07-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1592995931057-P0J4IOS2XG8CDS19NFQT/image-asset.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1592995864411-V5FL3PK0DT9CW3FCVVNG/Screen+Shot+2020-06-24+at+11.46.40.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1592995902644-6QRWI4PVBKRTDFM7CU2R/Screen+Shot+2020-06-24+at+11.47.05.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1592995832199-ZFSX0IODCIZ8NCVXASXQ/Screen+Shot+2020-06-24+at+11.46.45.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/nef-blog/procrastin-nation monthly 0.5 2020-08-15 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/nef-blog/the-economic-challenges-of-uk-nuclear-new-build monthly 0.5 2020-08-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1596723121068-HI08KN8A2VVRBODYMHM3/jh+1.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1596724639449-0G2R06L9WPI2P9CRZUFJ/graph.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/nef-blog/best-books-to-read-august-2020 monthly 0.5 2020-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1597233079908-OBU3EC0TPT68B7LDXDEN/Screenshot+2020-08-12+at+12.49.58.png NEF Blog - Best Books to Read (August 2020) - How to Fossilise Your Hamster And Other Amazing Experiments for the Armchair Scientist By Mick O’Hare Recommended by: Mercedes Baxter Chinery Provides easy at home experiments with everyday objects/materials. Lays the experiments out in an interesting and understandable way – so that even young children can read along and get involved. Explains the science behind the experiment. A mini at-home science lesson – perfect for families stuck at home at the moment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1597233019196-FYKQFUXXPE95YFBK9FTI/Screenshot+2020-08-12+at+12.49.31.png NEF Blog - Best Books to Read (August 2020) - Cosmological Koans: A Journey to the Heart of Physics by Anthony Aguirre Recommended by: Dom Brennan A Koan is a Zen thought-provoking vignette, and that's what Anthony Aguirre delivers with this book. Using general terminology embelished with semi-fictional stories, Cosmological Koans covers the depth of physics in a captivating and storied way; intially covering basic physics before seamlessly transitioning in to high-level space time and quantum theory, all the while involving the reader in an easy to understand and follow narrative. In short: it's a really cool deep dive in to high level physics for the (almost) general reader. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1597677706824-9KT9V2T8OYFWNH9FG3UG/81Dn36BfTVL.jpg NEF Blog - Best Books to Read (August 2020) - Rise and Fall of Nuclear Power In Britain by Simon Taylor Recommended by: Chris Morris Great history of Nuclear in the UK with good detail about the political situation and economics. Great as a primer for entering the UK Nuclear Industry and even NEF CDT! https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/nef-blog/best-books-to-read-september-2020 monthly 0.5 2020-10-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1601286188249-F250XIUFOHIO3KRGB01A/Screen+Shot+2020-09-28+at+10.42.51.png NEF Blog - Best Books to Read (September 2020) - Structures (or Why Things Don’t Fall Down) by J.E. Gordon Recommended by: Mercedes Baxter Chinery I read this book for my personal statement, and found it an excellent introduction to civil/structural engineering. Understanding how the different famous bridges around the world were made and stand up was very insightful. I would recommend to anyone interested in studying engineering at university. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1601285650393-MDXYEWXREUT1DKXGZOQX/Screen+Shot+2020-09-28+at+10.33.43.png NEF Blog - Best Books to Read (September 2020) - The limits to growth by Donella H. Meadows, Dennis L. Meadows, JorgenRanders, William Behrens Recommended by: Tristan Calvet Published in 1972 this book/report commissioned by the Club of Rome had two main objectives: gain insights into the limits of our world system and identify dominant constraints to growth. “The limits to growth” is a reference book which has generated immense debate on growth and that might tell us about our future despite being a quite old publication. Book is available for free online : www.donellameadows.org/wp-content/userfiles/Limits-to-Growth-digital-scan-version.pdf https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/nef-blog/pickleball-xz5wg monthly 0.5 2020-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1601301803251-Z7HPK84RU2I14MPVBQNI/IMG_6901.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1601286652927-PDLRXLBT5N5IAT3GIJGW/IMG_6900.jpeg https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/nef-blog/the-state-of-nuclear-energy monthly 0.5 2020-10-30 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/nef-blog/best-books-to-read-september-2020-nw49b monthly 0.5 2020-11-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1602839404902-DKLGO4NN4LLXFTHBD15T/Screenshot+2020-10-16+at+10.08.57.png NEF Blog - Best Books to Read (October 2020) - Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air By David Mackay Recommended by Dom Brennan A ground-up approach to energy generation. Brilliant for visualisation of what demand actually is and how that demand is reached by renewables/nuclear/gas etc. Released for free online at https://www.withouthotair.com/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1602839387895-ZT02SBL26GO2HA5CNEET/Screenshot+2020-10-16+at+10.09.28.png NEF Blog - Best Books to Read (October 2020) - A History of the Future. Prophets of Progress from H.G. Wells to Isaac Asimov. By Peter J. Bowler Recommended by Dom Brennan Peter Bowler reviews the zetigeists that gave birth to the sci-fi fantasies of the 20th century, considering all sci-fi hopes - or fears - of the day. From early monorails to nuclear power, this book highlights the works of fiction that captured the imagination of authors and readers alike; not attempting to evaluate their predicitve capabilites, but instead delving in to why these ideas captivated the sci-fi writers and the public in turn. A brilliant book for history buffs and sci-fi readers, it's certainly unique in its own right. https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/nef-blog/microadventures monthly 0.5 2020-10-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1603999308755-AX0HJ8PFZ2UUDXXWRA3J/DSC00942.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1603997695059-QLM3FMUFU1PH22O17D00/DSC01067.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1603998729617-MDF9U1AX75QN8RCBX0L4/DSC00919.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1603997963504-W0XVXGNHD8DHHF8GGY4V/DSC00995.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1603997374286-04W18SMZI8GQIP2I8RAQ/DSC00891.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1603999624258-84IE1VNITSR37SZ3HVJV/DSC00976.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1603997053011-2BVQBF4YIKWTSGRE7LHR/DSC00913.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1603998273694-I8DZNUWQ4L2B10IO1NO2/DSC00921.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1603998944625-U2QCOAF6L8S1353SUEUZ/DSC01013.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1603998060025-2S6F82BBFLEY9HTZEP9Y/DSC00982.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1603996876795-CT3SBNNDGXS76L32OQOJ/DSC00957.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1603999102380-MO38XAQB0OBW1NDQAIZO/DSC00917.jpg https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/nef-blog/the-future-was-cooler-in-the-past monthly 0.5 2020-12-01 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/outreach-blog daily 0.75 2021-11-06 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/outreach-blog/cambridge-festival-2021 monthly 0.5 2021-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616855321229-2GPW70HD4GNCTWOF2FD1/Fus+Via.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616700044050-MHGCKFB3SH61H4UUVZXP/Screenshot+2021-03-24+at+13.55.37.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616699974186-DS353RXAVYIG81F3MJ0M/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+11.44.23.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616709796302-GC93R4DU1UC3GE1COVMY/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+11.51.37.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616706124889-A24XT7WHVVGKZRZ89L3V/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+20.52.31.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1617016844867-2UROFMUTGRSYRUW2UIDM/webpage+banner.JPG https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/outreach-blog/future-explorers-2021 monthly 0.5 2021-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/26b1511e-90a0-4927-9753-e1859956ffc1/20211029_161552.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/da9cc304-38e3-414a-9cb3-087e7962eaf9/fd898d63-1e52-40b0-928c-f9bc80cb6b24.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/4497071e-fbfb-46b6-a035-1b95e35ce4ba/9d629adf-4b62-447a-a02e-0ae1c1259c53.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/c9670089-afcd-4be9-9688-97104b793fba/20211029_161557.jpg https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/insights daily 0.75 2020-12-01 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/insights/blog-post-title-one-d8g3w monthly 0.5 2020-12-01 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/gcsealevel daily 0.75 2020-12-21 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/gcsealevel/blog-post-title-two-z2t32 monthly 0.5 2020-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1606473570481-WGF2DJR72NHJCN668072/Screen+Shot+2020-11-27+at+10.36.25.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1606473448184-W213UB23DSDW9T20C2UL/image-asset.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1606473508232-UXQ619MB344W6D23NT5G/Screen+Shot+2020-11-27+at+10.36.00.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1606473419584-GBAG82US21CICVZ435ZA/image-asset.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1606473555157-JLHPEEE08B65E9C97T7F/image-asset.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/gcsealevel/blog-post-title-one-ljf4b monthly 0.5 2020-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1606473778045-WID8H9TRYUZCJJTU1PQ1/Screen+Shot+2020-11-27+at+10.41.45.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1606473037420-25BW1F091PBM41SXOXCK/Screen+Shot+2020-11-27+at+10.25.30.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1606473748165-JTLTXQQQEMPEXELW4MW9/Screen+Shot+2020-11-27+at+10.25.05.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1606473763059-Q63SM9FJGW35X1WVLE4Y/Screen+Shot+2020-11-27+at+10.25.09.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1606472924199-3L10RT8J7PCMJ7CK5G6N/Screen+Shot+2020-11-27+at+10.25.13.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1606473730682-971SWTL6AW3MNT4WUQ2Q/Screen+Shot+2020-11-27+at+10.25.00.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1606472961265-YCJTNGDVSLEG13E1X6TX/Screen+Shot+2020-11-27+at+10.25.21.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/gcsealevel/nuclear-fusion monthly 0.5 2021-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1608301002346-4LXNF9Z6VYZAYE1H6KF2/Periodic+Table.PNG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1608301755781-2Z6LS7SMTNY00QL596U9/image-asset.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/homepage daily 1.0 2021-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616711689958-QV9HFNDN6F5R26KBKC1Y/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+22.33.20.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1589535942447-QHUO60P37TD6NM3URD80/Screen+Shot+2020-05-15+at+10.45.12.png Home - Nuclear Energy Futures The Nuclear Energy Futures CDT is a EPSRC funded centre for postgraduate training, bringing together PhD students from Bangor University, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London and The Open University. To find out more about the CDT, click the link below. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/4657fe3a-695d-4063-8061-4e3e0736752d/9d629adf-4b62-447a-a02e-0ae1c1259c53.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1592070315737-KW7WQFUXQYN8BDVHUBPP/Screen+Shot+2020-06-13+at+18.44.50.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1594383384444-EM01B8FK36FQCBOWZ40V/Nef+logo+with+background.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/faqs daily 0.75 2020-06-24 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/about-us daily 0.75 2021-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1589462162938-YMQ3XYNSQ5EGQ51DL7EB/dom.jpg Cohort One - Dominic Brennan University of Cambridge PhD: Researching use of Multi-Objective Optimisation Methods for the Improvement of MOX Fuels in LWRs This project hopes to integrate optimisation capabilities with reactor physics and thermal hydraulics, with the aims of: demonstrating the effectiveness and utility of multi-objective optimisation for reactor fuel and core design; and developing UK capabilities in design of nuclear reactor fuel and nuclear reactor cores. What hobbies do you have? I am an avid tennis player and rower for my college. I entertain myself by playing piano and deafen myself by learning violin What fictional character do you wish you could meet? Gandalf What did you want to be when you were younger? A scientist of some type, although I envisioned white coats of some sort. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1589462108318-8Q2TFUU33XFRFHGAMN0W/Screen+Shot+2020-05-12+at+17.30.08.png Cohort One - Mercedes Baxter Chinery Imperial College London PhD: The Durability of Magnesium Silicate Hydrate Based Cements made From Brucite Magnesium Silicate Hydrate Cement is a recently developed cement, which hardens when MgO reacts with a soluble silica source and water. The fuel ponds at Sellafield contain a brucite rich sludge, which could potentially be used to replace the magnesium component of encapsulating cements, leading to a significant volume reduction of waste. The focus of the research being conducted is determining the feasibility of using the sludge in cement and testing the durability and mechanical properties. What hobbies do you have? I spend a lot of time doing sport - I play cricket, tennis and have also recently started archery. Where is your favourite place to be? I love being in Cornwall - whether I am paddleboarding on the sea, doing a coastal walk, visiting the lovely gardens or enjoying the local food! What is your favourite board game/ card game? I love LINKEE, but I get very competitive… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1589462290824-JJGT94FS2P0P7GPYOUHV/Tristan.png Cohort One - Tristan Calvet Imperial College London PhD: Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth in W-9Cr Steels Brazed Joints Tungsten and reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steels are the main structural materials considered for the in-vessel plasma facing components of the DEMO fusion reactor. Brazing is the promising technique to join steel to tungsten. However due to the different thermal expansion of the material, the brazing process and the extreme heat fluxes on the in-vessel components will generate defects and significant stresses in the brazed joint region. The aim of this PhD is to study the creep fatigue crack growth in this region to improve the structural integrity assessment of fusion power plants. What did you want to be when you were younger? From a bacteria to an astronaut. I am pretty sure I will end up somewhere in the middle! All good then! If you could time travel, where would you go? 1960-70s as a time of freedom without care of the limits! Why did you want to do a PhD? It’s still not simple to decide my favourite career path but research institutions related to energy have always interested me and with a PhD you gain easier access to those without closing doors for academia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1589462536929-J7PKDH6YGV02IFM4Q47Y/aaron.jpg Cohort One - Aaron Chote Imperial College London PhD: ZrO2 Corrosion Layers and their Grain Boundary Networks Zircaloy-4 (Z4) is the principal alloy used in fuel cladding in the nuclear industry. Zirconium has a high affinity for oxygen at high temperatures and consequently instantaneous oxidation at the surface of zirconium creates an oxide layer. The oxide growth process occurs in three stages and changes the properties of the layer. The ZrO2 oxide layer consists of two polymorphs (monoclinic and tetragonal) that exist in differing amounts dependent on the transition regime. The aim of the PhD is to characterise the various microstructures and determine their effects on the grain boundary networks observed in the oxide layer using multiple meso-to-nanoscale analytical techniques. What hobbies do you have? I am big fan of all aspects of theatre from direction to acting to lighting to watching. I was recently selected to be a director for ACT II, a London-based theatre festival, and NSDF, a national theatre festival celebrating all things to do with student-based theatre. I also love football and I am avid Wolverhampton Wanderers fan! If you could visit one place on earth where would you go? I have always wanted to go to San Francisco. However, I am currently saving up for a trip so that dream may come true soon! What did you want to be when you were younger? I’ve wanted to nearly do every job under the sun! When I was between 7-10, the dream was to be an actor. Between 11-14 it was a politician. 14-16 was an actuary, and at 17 I had a fleeting romance with being a doctor before settling on chemistry and wherever a degree there would take me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1589468012702-GF2MW8KM486ZOOS4A1Y4/Jamie+pic.jpg Cohort One - Jamie Davidson Imperial College London PhD: Development of W-B Composites for Fusion Reactor Neutron Shielding The proximity of the toroidal field coils to the plasma in the spherical tokamak design creates an issue with neutron radiation. Most conventional shielding materials are unable to provide adequate protection to the magnets providing the toroidal confinement, leading to increased degradation and heat deposition, reducing lifetime and performance. Studies have shown that tungsten borides are able to provide high levels of neutron shielding due to the high scattering cross section of the tungsten and the high neutron capture cross section of boron. The manufacturability of tungsten borides is limited, however development of W-WB composites may improve mechanical performance. Why did you want to do a PhD? Being able to manage my own time and work on the things I want to work on. Also to force all my family and friends to call me Dr Davidson Where is your favourite place to be? A pub in the Mumbles, just outside Swansea, called the Park Inn. It’s basically just a converted living room of a house but its one of the best pubs I’ve ever been too. Would you rather have invisibility or flight, why? Flight, entirely because I am always running late, and I hate the tube https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1594376207805-ZL7QBGKRU5UNB4MK50GV/Screen+Shot+2020-06-27+at+15.46.46.png Cohort One - Todd Freeman University of Cambridge PhD: Influence of microstructure on hydrogen diffusion in steels Hydrogen embrittlement was first characterised as a phenomenon in steels almost 150 years ago, but to this day it remains poorly understood. Modern techniques for its prevention rely upon expensive and lengthy heat treatments, with parameters derived purely from rules of thumb. My PhD hopes to model this process, such that the parameters can be optimised, and therefore allow for more cost-effective manufacture of at-risk components. In particular this relates to the reactor pressure vessel of which the heat treatment costs are extremely high. What fictional character do you wish you could meet? Mongo from Shrek 2 If you could rename yourself, what name would you pick and why? X Ӕ A-Xii, Toddy McToddface, or Superman IV – The Quest for Peace Would you rather have invisibility or flight, why? If my fanatical late-night reading sprees of H.G. Wells have taught me anything, which I’m really not sure they have, it’s that invisibility is a curse. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1589462641793-U3410DHP1FGJLMDAXN92/JamesHargreaves.jpg Cohort One - James Hargreaves University of Bristol PhD: The Effects of Fusion Plasma excursions on the Microstructure of Eurofer 97 Steel The reliable confinement of 150,000,000 °C fusion plasmas is a prerequisite of fusion energy - a safe, low-carbon and sustainable source of electricity. My PhD explores the effects of plasma excursions on the advanced reduced-activation steel Eurofer 97, which will be used to construct the next generation of fusion devices. Excursions occur when the hot plasma becomes unstable and catastrophically crashes into the wall of the reactor, exerting high transient thermal loads on tokamak structural components. These may raise the temperature of Eurofer 97 components beyond their design limits, leading to the degradation of Eurofer 97’s mechanical, chemical and thermal properties. To explore this problem, I am using a combination of computer simulation (thermal FEA) in Comsol Multiphysics and experimental work using high-powered lasers to reproduce the effects of these high transient thermal loads in the laboratory. What hobbies do you have? I enjoy vegan cookery, triathlon, watching and reviewing weird short films and playing video games. If you could visit one place on Earth where would you go? ITER - the International Thermonuclear Reactor. It is the biggest international fusion experiment in the world and it’s presently under construction in the south of France. I would love to be there when they finally turn it on! If you could chose two famous people (dead or alive) to have dinner with, who would you chose? Empress Catherine the Great and Diana Ross https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1593269562753-FF2V4F58W8ZPRZI21UU1/edmund.jpg Cohort One - Edmund Jones Imperial College London PhD: Analysis and Interpretation of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Behaviour Analysing the non-destructive testing techniques used during creep crack growth and creep fatigue crack growth testing. With an aim of improving the accuracy and reliability of these measurement techniques and maybe even implement an in situ measurement system! What Hobbies do you have? I play and follow far too many sports but cycling and triathlon take up much of my time. I don’t spend enough time on my photography and musical pursuits Where is your favourite place to be? London is my favourite place, it feels like home now and there is so much to do Would you rather have invisibility or flight, why? Flight to be able to travel the world! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1589473173597-W1FBOZ89JDGMIE9R65Q9/josh.jpg Cohort One - Josh Langcaster Imperial College London PhD: Fast Efficient Microstructural Modelling of Delayed Hydride Cracking in Nuclear Fuel Cladding Delayed Hydride Cracking in Zr Fuel Cladding is a failure mode of significant interest in the nuclear industry. Current modelling incorporates limited information on grain structure and including this in the simulation is computationally expensive. My research is focused on using Machine Learning to approximate these simulations so many can be run for statistical models of the cracking. What hobbies do you have? I play Goalie for the Imperial Devils Ice Hockey Club and played for the Cambridge Huskies during my undergrad. Why did you want to do a PhD? I really enjoyed doing my Masters research project and I want to go into research as a career. Also it let me continue playing Ice Hockey in university leagues. Also putting Dr on all my forms will feel pretty good. If you could choose two famous people (dead or alive) to have dinner with, who would you chose and why? Mac DeMarco and Thundercat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1589462744340-3Q7QABJ7C995DASAMB61/Fabio.jpg Cohort One - Fabio Martini Bangor University PhD: Design and Manufacture of Enhanced Composite Nuclear Fuels Uranium dioxide is the most used fuel material in commercial nuclear reactors around the world. While its thermal, mechanical and chemical stability are exceptional, its thermal conductivity and its uranium density – both of which positively affect the in-reactor performance of a nuclear fuel – are not as high as those of certain other uranium compounds. The aim of this project is to develop novel preparation routes for the aforementioned compounds and to combine them with uranium dioxide, so as to obtain composite fuel materials that offer enhanced performance in power generation. What hobbies do you have? I love cooking, reading science fiction and training with weights. What did you want to be when you were younger? The classics: astronaut, firefighter, engineer, scientist – anything that involved the use of enough fascinating machinery. I guess my seven-year-old self would not be disappointed to know that I’m working with uranium. What is your favourite board game / card game? Axis&Allies and Terraforming Mars for board games, the timeless Italian classic briscola (best in its five-player version) for card games. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1589462713049-8TP8TOAUN2QO28ZPL533/TanZiLiang.JPG Cohort One - Tan Zi Liang University of Cambridge PhD: Predictive Modelling of Nuclear Reactor Systems The true values of system parameters are never perfectly known. Uncertainties in system parameters are propagated onto subsequent calculations. On the other hand, measurement is also never a perfect process. Hence, calculated and measured system responses never capture true values, but must be interpreted together for optimal estimates of the system’s state. The project investigates the application of a new methodology for data assimilation to nuclear problems for source and parameter estimation. Where is your favourite place to be? Asleep in my warm, comfy bed What is the one food you can never bring yourself to eat? Kimchi, never got the hang of it :( Would you rather have invisibility or flight, why? Flight, and then I’ll never be late again https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1589462788300-SM7SA8SS55UWPBKT1RSZ/chris.jpg Cohort One - Chris Morris Imperial College London PhD: Characterising the Creep Crack Growth Behaviour in Austenitic Steel Welds The fleet of Advanced Gas Reactors (AGR) used in the UK run at high temperatures, up to 550°C. At these temperatures, a process known as creep occurs where metallic components, weakened due to the high temperatures, will slowly deform under a constant stress. Welded components are of particular interest as they have a reduced toughness and residual stresses present. Therefore, better understanding how the creep process occurs in welds will allow for the safe continued operation of the AGR reactors. What hobbies do you have? I have taken up the art of zen rock balancing! Give it a google search, it’s a wonderful way of clearing the mind. Where is you favourite place to be? The beach! And or Dartmoor, though at first glance these may both seem very different – they are both very tranquil in their own ways. What is your favourite genre of music? Lounge, picture the soundtrack to a sunset – Relaxing, smooth and Balearic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1593269245011-R228ATYT8VD09GSMHA8U/Screen+Shot+2020-06-27+at+15.46.46.png Cohort One - Kene Nwebgu Imperial College London PhD: Fluid Flow Solver for Nuclear Reactors using Automatic Code Generation Thermal hydraulic analysis of nuclear reactor systems is performed using system codes, sub-channel codes and CFD codes to model the safety margins at different scales. However, automatic code generation could have an impact on modelling done at all three scales. In this project, a fluid flow solver will be developed for thermal hydraulic analysis in Devito - a domain specific language and automatic code-generation framework for finite difference equations. Validating this solver and will be done continuously throughout the project using benchmarks of thermal hydraulic analyses. What hobbies do you have? I actively follow a lot of sport and most often play tennis, table-tennis or football. Why did you want to do a PhD? I enjoyed the computational modelling involved in my undergraduate degree and wanted to pursue this field further. This PhD project aligns with this interest and my desire to learn about nuclear engineering. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1589463023492-H0SWC9RG0SGYHOSLX1MO/meganowen.jpg Cohort One - Megan Owen Bangor University PhD: The Role of Alloying Elements on Grain Boundary Structure Zirconium alloys are used within the nuclear industry as cladding for fuel pellets. Throughout its operational lifetime, the cladding is exposed to water enriched environments enhancing corrosion. Mechanisms of corrosion in zirconium alloys are not fully understood, due to the growth of oxide layers across the metal-water interface. Grain boundaries between oxide layers could be potential routes for oxygen and hydrogen ingress, accelerating the corrosion process. My project will identify whether zirconium alloy corrosion can be accelerated along grain boundaries, and whether grain boundaries act as super-highways for oxygen and hydrogen transport. What hobbies do you have? My main hobbies outside of my PhD include yoga, attending the gym, and my dogs! I have 9 dogs at the moment, so that’s enough to keep me busy! Why did you want to do a PhD? From my third-year dissertation project, I liked being able to research independently into a subject area that interested me. Being able to do this for three years and potentially discovering new aspects of science and engineering was the main reason I chose to apply for a PhD. What did you want to be when you were younger? When I was younger, I wanted to be an architect! That soon ended once I realised I couldn’t really draw… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1589463048218-AIPUSTXG8JX4UIFMSGE7/dimitris.jpg Cohort One - Dimitris Samaras University of Bristol PhD: An Investigation into Corrosion and Leaching of Carbide Fuels in a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) Setting Uranium Carbide is one of the so-called “exotic fuels”, having been part of the early UK nuclear research programme, along with its utilisation as accelerator target in facilities like CERN. This compound is well-known among researchers for its interactions with water and oxygen. This PhD will inquire onto the interaction of carbides with these two corrodents, both being present in the groundwater, to which they will inevitably come in contact with inside the environment of a geological disposal facility setting. What did you want to be when you were younger? An Astronaut - exploring the unknown vastness of space, going to worlds where no-one has gone before, (potentially!) meeting new forms of sentient life! If you could choose two famous people (dead or alive) to have dinner with, who would you choose? Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius - both of them having been two of the greatest philosophers of all time, both proponents of Stoicism and the latter being one of the few (not more than a handful) good Roman Emperors. Would you rather have invisibility or flight - why? Flight, I could travel all around the world and reach places that are unreachable (it would probably not be a very wide distance range, but it would be enough)! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1594127639594-WEBTP8Y162E1BWJ7WKH2/Cameron.jpg Cohort One - Cameron Sanderson University of Bristol PhD: Investigating the Geometrical effects of Weldments In the process of verifying structural integrity of welds there has been a simplification when it comes to analysing the geometry. This has led to tolerances given to welded components to be quite pessimistic – using more material than they might otherwise have to. My project aims to develop a more sophisticated system of grouping and classifying of weldments such that components engineered in the future can push the boundaries as to what might be acceptable today. This will be done using techniques such as FEM, using ABAQUS, and Digital Image Correlation on bending, tensile and cyclic materials tests. Where is your favourite place to be? I love being in Hilly or Mountainous places – from the Cairngorms to the Alps or the Jura. Anywhere with a decent bit of elevation is bound to have stunning views and fewer people – both big wins in my book. If you could visit one place on earth where would you go? Chile – particularly both the Atacama and Patagonia What is your favourite board game / card game ? I have lots! – throughout lockdown I have had the chance to try many out on tabletop simulator, but it is hard to disrupt my top 5: (in no particular order) Settlers of Catan, Blokkus, Carcassonne, Connect 4 Advanced and Poker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1589463085640-YFUQVO22EQYE5FRYI57Q/gareth.jpg Cohort One - Gareth Stephens Bangor University PhD: Complex grain boundary behaviour in ZrO2 - Impact of coolant chemistry Studying the complex grain boundary behaviour of zircaloy and the impact of coolant chemistry at Bangor University’s Nuclear Futures Institute, with Dr Simon Middleburgh. The project, which began in 2019, is funded by Wood Plc and the Nuclear Energy Futures EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training. The focus of Gareth’s project is to study the mechanism of zircaloy corrosion whilst subject to a lithiated water environment. Primarily, computational simulation and analysis will be adopted to gain an understanding of possible mechanisms including oxygen, hydrogen and lithium transport through the material which will then be verified by traditional experimental methods including characterisation. If you could visit one place on Earth where would you go? The Star Wars area in Disney World. What fictional character do you wish you could meet? Iron Man! Classy guy! If you could choose two famous people (dead or alive) to have dinner with, who would you chose? I believe Stephen Hawking was a lot of fun. So him and Freddie Mercury. Think that would be messy! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1594127810412-OQPSE82H4YZVF8KZNMTM/Jack.jpg Cohort One - Jack Anthony Wilson Bangor University PhD: High Entropy Alloy Multi-Component Coating Systems for Gen IV Nuclear Fuel Cladding Chromium-based coatings have been recently developed to increase fuel cladding corrosion resistance, wear resistance, as well as reduce H2 gas generation under accident conditions. Interdiffusion between coating and cladding produces Laves phase intermetallic ZrCr2 which is brittle in nature and promotes spallation of the coating. This project investigates the feasibility of deploying a high entropy alloy barrier between these two materials in the hope of enhancing coating performance. https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/contact-us daily 0.75 2020-07-10 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/contact-us-1 daily 0.75 2020-07-10 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/contact-us-2 daily 0.75 2020-07-10 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/contact-us-3 daily 0.75 2020-07-10 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/coming-soon-3 daily 0.75 2020-06-24 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/previous-outreach daily 0.75 2020-06-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1593268494350-MZ6GEJKYHMRXD96ELKH7/meganoutreach.jpeg Previous Outreach https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1593268519740-5SLVE6UPM33SWVY8OHCR/meganoutreach2.jpeg Previous Outreach https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1593268518889-NF9LLKHZ2CKNH1SDI2IC/meganoutreach3.jpeg Previous Outreach https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1593268539861-F45EHTFO5L09CXATI214/meganoutreach4.jpeg Previous Outreach https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/cohort-two daily 0.75 2021-08-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1626459702473-B7NFZDIK4VNOW5TGFX4H/Screenshot+2021-07-16+at+19.07.29.png Cohort Two - Chris Allen University of Bristol Creep-plasticity interaction in high-temperature reactor materials Ultimate goal is to see if it is possible to distinguish between plasticity and creep damage experimentally using high temperature tensile tests, digital image correlation and diffraction techniques. 316H stainless steel is being used as the model material in question due to its frequent use in fission (and fusion) reactors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1626459510160-RK60KV4SPLON6ZW2JGDA/Screenshot+2021-07-16+at+19.08.11.png Cohort Two - Raifa Al Maamari University of Cambridge Multi-physics reactor design optimisation The modelling of nuclear reactor systems is one of the most challenging tasks in complex system modelling, due to the many different scales and coupled physical phenomena involved. This project will explore ways in which state-of-the-art approaches to surrogate modelling and multifidelity analysis can be employed to facilitate multi-physics analysis and design optimisation of nuclear systems. Fully computational, the project involves a combination of established analysis (reactor physics, thermal hydraulics etc.), surrogate modelling and optimisation codes together with self-written software. Test cases will be drawn from established benchmarks and near-deployment candidate future reactor designs. What Hobbies do you have (e.g. sports, video games etc.)? Dancing, Swimming, Gym fitness Why did you want to do a PhD? I am doing a Ph.D. to find and fill a knowledge gap, develop transferrable skills that would be beneficial to my future career, and to continue to develop patience and determination to finish projects I am passionate about. Where is your favourite place to be? Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1626460270281-ZS8C2Q3LPOD25CRO0NIU/Screenshot+2021-07-16+at+19.07.01.png Cohort Two - Feena Arey University of Bristol Enhancing system resilience and organisational safety in the nuclear industry through joined-up regulation, policy and procedures Managing the complexity of nuclear power presents unique challenges for safety and resilience. Defence in depth, risk management, active monitoring and robust passive safety systems are combined with behavioural and organisational approaches to develop strong nuclear safety cultures. If designed in isolation from one another these proactive measures can however combine to form tightly coupled networks of incentives, corrective actions, procedures, safety-systems, causes and effects that ultimately increase the fragility of the overall system. The project aim is to use technological innovations and behavioural insights to identify areas of vulnerability, key leverage points and actions to improve safety and reduce the risk of high-impact low-probability events. What Hobbies do you have (e.g. sports, video games etc.)? Spearfishing Would you rather have invisibility or flight, why? Invisibility, Spearfishing would be easy then. If you could be any animal what would you be, and why? A Grizzly Bear. They get to live in beautiful places, fish all day and chase away people that bother them. Hibernating sounds good too, You get to eat all summer getting super fat, then you go to sleep over winter and when you wake up in spring you are thin again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1626460470388-1SGSF24N3IBEWU9IQPYM/Screenshot+2021-07-16+at+19.08.47.png Cohort Two - Angelo Battistini Imperial College London Modelling the behaviour of interfaces in TRISO coated particle fuel during thermal transients using Peridynamics I am working to develop an interface model for the different layers present in TRIstructural ISOtropic coated particle fuel. This issue is fundamental to understand the fracture mechanism of this accident tolerant nuclear fuel, in order to study the dependence of its failure on reactor parameters such as temperature, power or pressure. Where is your favourite place to be? Every place is my favourite, if I am there with my friends. But yeah, the Sardinian pub close to my home in Milan would still be one of my first choices. If you could time travel, when (and where, we all know about space-time) would you go? Obviously in Rome during the foundation of Rome, to see if the legend is true. That would be 2700 years in the past, give or take 50 years. What are your favourite pizza topping/s? Mushrooms and ham. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1626460953337-3LYX6G5OBQECCZ6YPR34/Screenshot+2021-07-16+at+19.06.52.png Cohort Two - Corey Bevan Bangor University Ageing of Plutonium Dioxide Powders I will be performing atomistic simulations of Plutonium Dioxide (Perhaps other fluorite structures too...) in order to gain better understanding of how actinide oxide crystallites age in storage environments through theoretical modelling. My PhD is sponsored by AWE (Atomic Weapons Establishment) in order to aid the field of nuclear forensic science. What Hobbies do you have (e.g. sports, video games etc.)? Outside of my scholarly life I am an athlete, having played American Football throughout my university years. Due to a long history of head injuries however, instead of running into large people for fun I now practise Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, a modern grappling art commonly seen in MMA. Where is your favourite place to be? Newborough Beach, North Wales, if you know you know... Would you rather have invisibility or flight, why? Flight, I’d save a pretty penny on travel expenses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1629225694617-QGFWDDW6LE92MXNQVU5Z/Screenshot+2021-08-17+at+19.41.14+1.png Cohort Two - Mustafa Bolukbasi Bangor University The Economics of Nuclear Fuel Cycle The increase in energy demand and decrease of resources require more efficient use of resources. In this context, Mustafa's project focuses on identifying the potential use of advanced and novel fuels for light water reactors and eliminating the uncertainty on economic advantages of these fuels. What did you want to be when you were younger? I always wanted to be a cameraman who works for the national geographic channel. Sometimes I ask myself is there still a chance for that? Give me a call if there is one. Where is your favourite place to be? I would love to see the Egyptian pyramids especially the Great Pyramid of Giza. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1626461208474-ZH31YUQY0E248C1D7JXH/Screenshot+2021-07-16+at+19.11.10.png Cohort Two - Oliver Conway Imperial College London Mathematical and Computational Modelling for Nuclear Criticality Safety Analysis and Assessment of Interacting Arrays of Loosely Coupled Systems Containing Special Nuclear Materials (SNMs) Develop novel mathematical and computational methods for modelling the nuclear criticality excursion behaviour of interacting arrays of loosely coupled systems containing fissile material. The method will analyse systems containing mixtures of array components which are sub-critical, super-critical or where an extraneous (or external) neutron source is introduced into the system. The aim of the analysis is to prevent situations of accidental criticality conditions when storing nuclear material. What Hobbies do you have (e.g. sports, video games etc.)? I change my activities fairly often, I do swimming, skiing, rock climbing, cycling, weights in the gym, sewing, kayaking and scuba diving. But I often find myself coming back to video games. What movie can you watch over and over without ever getting tired of? Shrek Why did you want to do a PhD? I tried out research work at my previous University and enjoyed the ability to manage my own time, and the work feels satisfying when you complete a problem, a PhD seemed the best next step for more! Talking to careers advisors, PhDs seem to give you a good standing for jobs in science, or jobs of any kind really. Also, I like the sound of “Dr Conway”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1626536621873-PZWCYZZ7MCEXRL4SRIXB/Screenshot+2021-07-17+at+16.39.29.png Cohort Two - Tom Griffiths Imperial College London The optimum role of nuclear fusion in carbon free future energy systems Tom has joined the Nuclear Energy Futures Lab in October 2020 as a PhD student in the Department for Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London. His research focus is on 'The optimum role of nuclear fusion in carbon-free future energy systems', under the supervision of Dr. Mike Bluck. Tom is a member of the Grantham Institute PhD cohort. His PhD will be looking closely at how compact fusion reactors may enter the energy mix and how this may look different to other fusion pathways. Why did you want to do a PhD? Having contemplated it for a while during my masters and during my time working in an office, I realised I wanted to pursue and academic pathway to help disrupt the current energy narrative, and contribute to climate targets e.g. net zero. What did you want to be when you were younger? Tall Would you rather have invisibility or flight, why? Flight – for the views. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1629225716398-RDXGBT70X0VA8GWETUTZ/Screenshot+2021-08-17+at+19.41.14.png Cohort Two - Aidan Gunn University of Bristol Investigating the effect of Zn addition to corrosion of alloy-600 in water-cooled reactors My PhD tries to understand the role of Zn injection in crack initiation and propagation in alloy 600 weld material. I'll be using autoclave facilities at the University of Bristol to do short-term exposures to water at PWR temperatures and pressures, varying the amount of Zn added during the test. We'll then do a matrix of different hot functional tests; with and without H2 and with or without Zinc. This work will investigate the effect of zinc injection during the hot functional testing, followed by continuous injection and discontinued injection. The results will help shape approaches to prevent stress corrosion cracking in primary coolant system components. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1629205192916-RPVHZJO1FU14RGFVFBGT/Screenshot+2021-08-17+at+13.59.05.png Cohort Two - Daniel Long Imperial College London Modelling Delayed Hydride Cracking and Crack Growth in Zirconium Cladding Delayed hydride cracking is a phenomenon which can occur in metallic alloys subjected to thermal cycling. At elevated temperatures, hydrogen diffuses preferentially to crack tips and precipitates at high concentrations, forming hydride phases. These hydride precipitates give rise to stress concentration at crack tips and can influence crack growth-rates significantly. DHC is of particular interest in zirconium alloys, which are used as cladding material in nuclear reactors. My project aims to develop novel crystal plasticity models, coupled with hydrogen diffusion models (accounting for hydride formation and dissolution), building upon a computational modelling framework developed by Dr David Wilson, which enabled mechanistic understanding of fatigue crack growth in zirconium alloys. Where is your favourite place to be? Mulranny, Co. Mayo in Ireland – a small village situated next to mountains, woodlands, freshwater streams and the beach – idyllic! It’s also home to my grandparents. What did you want to be when you were younger? Aeroplane pilot. Would you rather have invisibility or flight, why? Flight, free daily commute https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1626536648100-QNMP6J8A5RR33X7CP5LA/Screenshot+2021-07-17+at+16.43.26.png Cohort Two - Florence Legg University of Bristol Investigating Actinide Oxide Activity in Waste Legacy plutonium in the UK is stored as plutonium oxide powder in sealed cannisters. Over time, the plutonium oxides react with water vapour in the environment, producing hydrogen. The amount of hydrogen produced, and therefore the activity of the waste, is currently difficult to predict. When this material is to be transferred into GDF-suitable containers it is important to be able to predict how much hydrogen is produced and suitable storage conditions. This PhD topic involves investigating the activity of plutonium, uranium and thorium oxides in storage conditions, and investigate the reactions that occur. What Hobbies do you have? I do a lot of outdoor sports - including running, cycling, hiking and climbing. I have also tried some home brewing. Why did you want to do a PhD? From my Masters research project I found that I really enjoyed independently working on a research area, and being able to determine my own approach to the project. I have also completed a year in industry working with Sellafield Ltd. which sparked my interest in nuclear decommissioning and waste management, and made me want to work in the area in a research capacity. Where is your favourite place to be? The lake district, I spent my year in industry there and loved the hiking trails and camping spots. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1626537131890-TZGOT2JHN37UY02YSX7Z/Screenshot+2021-07-17+at+16.38.04.png Cohort Two - Joe Pollard Imperial College London Hydride-based shielding materials for compact fusion power reactors (Tokamak Energy) Transition Metal hydrides have particular interest in the nuclear fusion industry as shielding materials due to their advanced neutronic and thermal-mechanical properties. These relatively novel materials are by nature difficult to fabricate into fully dense parts and their performance is yet to be fully investigated. My project will investigate: The thermal stability of these hydrides Advanced powder metallurgy processing of metal hydrides Characterise the properties of these materials and understand them relative to function in a nuclear fusion reactor. I am sponsored by Tokamak Energy and will be collaborating with Los Alamos National Laboratory as part of the INFUSE project. Why did you want to do a PhD? To help solve complex problems that are impacting the big challenges the world is currently facing. You’ll always be doing something you’re interested in and you get to use big expensive equipment. The opportunities to travel are also another great reason to do PhD. If you could visit one place on earth where would you go? The Pub (Speaking from lockdown) If you could choose two famous people (dead or alive) to have dinner with, who would you choose? Henry Rollins and Kobe Bryant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1626537102653-F0DBIYIL10ZF5PPLIYI9/Screenshot+2021-07-17+at+16.46.15.png Cohort Two - Cameron Macdonald Imperial College London Neutron irradiation damage modelling of interface strengthened ferritic superalloys for high temperature fusion applications Containing and producing energy from even a small fraction of a star’s core is no mean feat – you need the right materials for the task. My project aims to model how a particular class of Ni and Al doped superalloy steels stands up to the extreme punishment that a plasma facing material must endure inside of a fusion reactor. This modelling will be done computationally using a combination of molecular dynamics and density functional theory based simulations. Why did you want to do a PhD? I really enjoy science, physics specifically, and the idea of labouring for several years on a single, complicated project is appealing to me in an odd way. I’m aware that being able to choose to do something like this is an absolute luxury however, so out of a sense of gratitude, trite as it sounds, I feel like I should put my efforts towards something that will hopefully benefit others. That’s how I found myself looking at a nuclear energy PhD. What is your favourite board game / card game? Poker and Trivial Pursuit are pretty fun. Would you rather have invisibility or flight, why? Flight is way cooler than invisibility! It sounds a hell of a lot more freeing. Far be it for me to disparage, but I think anyone who picked invisibility is probably also a pervert. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1626537537683-9AQGIPKW87JXGTPU0K1X/Screenshot+2021-07-17+at+16.58.45.png Cohort Two - Rosie Smart University of Bristol An investigation of metallic uranium corrosion in a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) setting. Despite all MAGNOX reactors now being retired, we still need to dispose of the inventory of MAGNOX spent fuel. The accepted disposal solution in England is via a deep geological disposal facility. Such a facility will aim to isolate nuclear waste for 100,000 years, by which time the radioactive waste will have decayed into background levels of radioactivity. My PhD aims to investigate how uranium would corrode and behave over such long timescales and under the evolving conditions of a geological disposal facility. Uranium corrosion is important to investigate to ensure the safety of a disposal facility, both in the short- and long-term. Where is your favourite place to be? The Yorkshire Dales. The patchworked rolling valleys, the sound of sheep bleating, and (best of all) returning to the campsite after a hot summer’s day to sit back into a camping chair around the fire pit with an ice-cold beverage. What did you want to be when you were younger? I wanted to be a farmer. My family are beef and arable farmers and so as a child I had always imagined taking over the farm and marrying a local farmer. Since going to university and now embarking on my PhD, I doubt I’ll return to the Fenlands and leave my partner for a farmer. Whilst farming is no longer a career for me, this old dream has evolved into buying a small holding when I retire. I would like to learn how to milk a cow, butcher meat and grow my own vegetables for a more self-sustaining lifestyle. What is the one food you can never bring yourself to eat? Sushi. It is RAW FISH?! We are civilised humans who have learnt to cook and for good reason! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1626537470546-P3A9YJ5HEGPKTUNIX94U/Screenshot+2021-07-17+at+16.54.46.png Cohort Two - Nathan Ravoisin University of Cambridge Using Artificial Intelligence to Validate and Predict Nuclear Reactions Cross-Sections Nuclear reactor cross-sections are parameters of paramount importance in the design, operation and safety assessment of any nuclear device and are highly dependent on several variables such as incident particle kinetic energy and target isotopic composition. In practice, cross-sections are measured experimentally; nevertheless, these measurements may suffer from inaccuracies and / or not cover sufficient incident particle energy ranges. My project therefore aims at applying artificial intelligence methods (e.g. Gaussian Processes, Symbolic Regression, …) to help predict and / or validate nuclear cross-section data. Where is your favourite place to be? Cape Town, South Africa. If you could time travel, when (and where, we all know about space-time) would you go? A couple thousand years in the future. I’d be curious to see if humanity is still there, and if so, what cool technology scientists and engineers have developed. If you could choose two famous people (dead or alive) to have dinner with, who would you choose? Einstein and Bohr. I would love to hear their thoughts about modern advances in science. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1626537942526-WPC0BBKN3YP8Z45FDMDG/Screenshot+2021-07-17+at+17.05.26.png Cohort Two - Phil Smith University of Bristol Improving the performance of Advanced Technology Fuels (ATF) The drive for change in nuclear fuel design is towards accident tolerance, which specifically relates to the absence or delay of high-temperature clad oxidation by coolant. Any replacement for UO2 fuel must offer a combination of safer operation with lower fuel cycle cost; either longer cycles or lower enrichment. The candidate material that offers the greatest combination of these properties with the potential for industrial scale-up is currently uranium mononitride, UN. However, there is a major behavioural draw-back in that water, and more importantly during operation, high T water/steam, is significantly more corrosive to UN than the UO2 oxide fuel currently employed in water moderated reactors.The proposed PhD project will specifically address the two key issues that are driving research of accident tolerant fuels (ATF): thermal conductivity degradation and corrosion behaviour, with the main focus on the fuel-water interaction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1629225763940-6EUGGKST4P5O694A6UPH/Screenshot+2021-08-17+at+19.41.14.png Cohort Two - Ryan Stroud Imperial College London Atom probe tomography and microscale mechanical testing of neutron irradiated Sizewell B reactor pressure vessel steel My project uses the hot cells and active focus ion beam facilities at the Materials Research Facility (MRF) in Culham and the active materials atom probe facility at Oxford University to study irradiated material from a PWR. The aim is to study how the neutron irradiation damage has evolved at the nano-scale and compare how microstructural changes, made by pre-straining the material, before irradiation, has changed the radiation response of the steel. My end goal is to use the results to extend the lifetime of current LWRs, which in turn will help mitigate the release of CO2 emissions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1626538173498-0HRB5D6USALWVM1NZA2Y/Screenshot+2021-07-17+at+17.08.01.png Cohort Two - Jack Trainor Imperial College London High performance radiation transport methods with ray effect mitigation‌ Given the nature of my PhD, I can’t really give much of a synopsis other than to say that my title is ‘High performance radiation transport methods with ray effect mitigation‌’ and my work is pretty computational. That basically means I spend my time dealing with segmentation errors and having the compiler call my code ‘unexpected trash’. Why did you want to do a PhD?: I’d already done a nuclear based bachelor’s and master’s, so why not go all in and do a nuclear PhD while I’m at it? In all seriousness, doing a PhD in the nuclear field allowed me to develop my knowledge and contribute to the development of an area of science that I’ve always been passionate about. And I’m not complaining about the Dr title. https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q1 daily 0.75 2021-03-24 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q1-1 daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q1-incorrect daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/powerline daily 0.75 2021-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616704786658-BKTX4RLNA3ZPFTRNL9YL/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+20.05.55.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616749510753-ENLQSLQA3C4SJO8XBVI1/webpage+banner.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616672770088-VQGNEI3CYQ2B508SWBBR/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+11.44.23.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q2 daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q2-correct daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q2-incorrect daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q3 daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q3-correct daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q3-incorrect daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q4 daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q4-correct daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q4-incorrect daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q5 daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q5-correct daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q5-incorrect daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q6 daily 0.75 2021-02-25 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q6-correct daily 0.75 2021-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616673563193-NRT7IFGG5XCLYJNRHIYZ/Screenshot+2021-03-24+at+21.05.31.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616710431103-2AEXQL31LGX7WPPGF3O0/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+22.00.16.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616673547405-06FUJAKCNGKGMBQ1JMO6/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+11.51.37.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fnq-q6-incorrect daily 0.75 2021-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616710459960-L2XPKHUXBNI2UOJE21ZI/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+22.00.16.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616673168776-Y91QPTOGRK0QFCX35TZ8/Screenshot+2021-03-24+at+21.05.31.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616673124991-DKFRSZXKWW7RLVQDCE9Y/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+11.51.37.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/escape-room daily 0.75 2021-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616704737801-RQKKOG3ZK58XLVILAG1C/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+20.05.55.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616672691325-650K1WQ8DUD0GXFGKUN8/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+11.44.23.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616672592818-YY3X2G9V0F5AKMAZ63M5/Screenshot+2021-03-24+at+13.55.37.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/build-a-reactor daily 0.75 2021-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616749552784-C5DYMVZSBQXCPL7LA6BD/webpage+banner.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616672255742-T5BHVUZYHW6YAQESXK7F/Screenshot+2021-03-24+at+13.55.37.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616704388655-IK9A3QS31N88S9C4M3YS/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+20.05.55.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/nuclearaccidents daily 0.75 2021-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616673316422-K2QCIVNF3VJ528IKKXI7/Screenshot+2021-02-25+at+11.28.53.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616710388491-31UNYRIXZSL87ASCQ03E/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+22.00.16.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616673384681-V6WAMFF2GEGQLHSOT541/Screenshot+2021-03-24+at+21.05.31.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/cambridge-festival-2021-prerec daily 0.75 2022-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616676767308-2M5NFZXAI1UW8SZWKLY7/Banner+Long.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616673761840-92G3HF2I3GMH11WC5JU3/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+11.51.37.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1617016844867-2UROFMUTGRSYRUW2UIDM/webpage+banner.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616673745955-1F1O16RKCI4ZCUASWG3K/Screenshot+2021-03-24+at+13.55.37.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616673798095-W486JXRIAJ64EI7TN0IY/Screenshot+2021-02-25+at+11.28.53.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616709893957-HFSQPA8KEFT2XJV0CKFJ/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+22.00.16.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616673826689-29HR1ITYWHSYEZN0XIDB/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+11.44.23.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616706124889-A24XT7WHVVGKZRZ89L3V/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+20.52.31.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616706157961-9QCUVCPH8TK02LG79EWX/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+20.55.15.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616706098896-8N3V8WI9UAILW2VLECJC/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+20.50.18.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616704320551-200M9GMPQELMNAOKPT91/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+20.05.55.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616695070185-VDCA6FETAXQCDY09I3VI/Silicon+Atom.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616673863638-RZHWWH8F41OBIDWSEF5Q/Screenshot+2021-03-24+at+21.05.31.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/ks23 daily 0.75 2021-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616695231365-LE5HEA9IO2VIT1FPJS05/Silicon+Atom+w+Bands.JPG ks2.3 - Make your own atom! Follow the instructions below to have a go at making your own atom, molecules and ions! Don’t forget to send us your name, age and a picture of your atom to nuclearenergyfuturescdt@gmail.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616694161752-SXZFZWQPGZIJU6RFISUD/164923906_276429727419559_6348580377948483971_n.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616695246228-D143NLG3ESR4QRPJHIPR/Carbon+Atom+w+Bands.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616687174332-QOH8K44WJEDL0EFV0V1U/Screen+Shot+2021-03-25+at+15.44.29.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616694196091-W1ZL7SOSV4P217EOPJXD/164779949_221142496428260_1054844454120809796_n.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616687153642-VESW884JVTFWCL4FJLU1/Screen+Shot+2021-03-25+at+14.54.07.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616694178290-L1MUAFJRXTQL926V135D/164847125_4123041901053445_8013000304741935887_n.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616695255464-WGXVF69EZKL512J46814/Silicon+Atom+w+Bands.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616672877571-1K9XFD9JM2F43MSRD5SG/Screenshot+2021-03-24+at+13.55.37.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616749611954-MOL9O01ALGJ9CMD9KVVS/webpage+banner.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616672945751-3YRMKDED6WG1EHGK82NL/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+11.44.23.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fusionarticle daily 0.75 2021-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616590887935-YCTB1UN0ORT3VSTBTNVU/emc2.PNG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616590690906-0HNMJLDMS2QKL8G71KWF/Periodic%2BTable.PNG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616673442071-8TG7Q1SZ2BZ8ND5QCCCG/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+11.51.37.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616710182466-5ZOHRPTN6ZU86YFDCV47/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+22.00.16.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616673610577-PQ4P0IIDKQ78BOWFBJHM/Screenshot+2021-02-25+at+11.28.53.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/demoatom daily 0.75 2021-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616700208690-4L6QFC69X2VD96Z4Z5TL/WhatsApp+Image+2021-03-25+at+15.54.45.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616749589109-5AYP1RU2P3OZ7LKAVBI7/webpage+banner.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616700044050-MHGCKFB3SH61H4UUVZXP/Screenshot+2021-03-24+at+13.55.37.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616699974186-DS353RXAVYIG81F3MJ0M/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+11.44.23.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/krystal daily 0.75 2021-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616709796302-GC93R4DU1UC3GE1COVMY/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+11.51.37.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616709825472-O614M5X95OJ1X809S9KV/Screenshot+2021-03-24+at+21.05.31.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616709851144-S6MLQYO3CKR1S6MDJFBY/Screenshot+2021-02-25+at+11.28.53.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/liveevents daily 0.75 2021-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616760700743-VV8KFTY90SR8TX8967DA/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+22.00.16.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616760716767-2BBYDPFOJZUOW6F4FJ2S/Screenshot+2021-03-25+at+11.51.37.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1616760681544-SP6RU6GZTUZ4JW9XFGXN/Screenshot+2021-03-26+at+12.11.04.png https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/camdemo daily 0.75 2021-03-26 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/lowcarbon daily 0.75 2021-03-29 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/fusionviable daily 0.75 2021-03-29 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/safenuclear daily 0.75 2021-03-29 https://www.nuclearenergyfutures.org/cohort-three daily 0.75 2022-07-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/6a6260ab-248e-4ae2-a9db-25150859da56/Anon.png Cohort Three - Conor Buchanan Bangor University Developing cancer treatments with Targeted Auger Therapy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/a5a00777-3341-4deb-b942-53643cd7d480/Alexandropolou.jpg Cohort Three - Stamatina Alexandropoulou Imperial College London Modelling the behaviour of the compacted bentonite at high temperatures The aim of the PhD research is to predict bentonite clay behaviour used as a buffer between the nuclear waste canisters and the host rock in geological disposal facilities (GDF), at temperatures above 100°C. The project will be implemented utilizing advanced numerical methods and also experimental data from the pan-European HotBENT field experiment, made available through collaboration with Nuclear Waste Services. Why did you want to do a PhD? I was always excited about physics and how its applications can contribute in several aspects of everyday life, dealing with global challenges such as climate change. I developed a particular interest in nuclear physics related topics, participating in activities and research focused on nuclear science applications. So, I was convinced that I would like to get further involved in nuclear research which aims to deliver a better future to next generation society. Thus, I am studying for a PhD which links geotechnics with nuclear science and engineering to manage radioactive waste in future GDFs. What motivates you? The idea of contributing against climate change to save the global environment. Where is your favourite place to be? Next to the seaside! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/586a1997-c071-4479-b515-b2cc69a8a847/Carter+Cortez.jpg Cohort Three - Patrick Carter Cortez University of Cambridge Nuclear data sensitivity and uncertainty analysis in the Jules Horowitz Reactor core using generalised perturbation theory in Monte Carlo simulations Exploring the effect of nuclear data uncertainties on Monte Carlo estimates of void effects, power distributions, and irradiation performance in the JHR. This is particularly important when looking at fine power distributions in outer fuel elements at the interface with the beryllium reflector. Initial sensitivity analysis is carried out with the SERPENT Monte Carlo neutron transport code. What flavour tea do you usually buy? Queen Anne blend (Fortnum & Mason) How good are you at drawing? Can't draw a sin(x) curve to save my life. What is the most amazing thing you have witnessed? The Salar de Uyuni at night (Google it). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/7bcd336e-d32c-45a3-afc9-bbba82a56b93/Budd.jpg Cohort Three - Thomas Budd Imperial College London Performance of aged cement grouts for encapsulating radioactive wastes Looking to further characterise and develop the understanding of how aged cements perform under the conditions presented in a GDF. I am doing this through both thermodynamic modelling and laboratory experiments on cement samples that have been aged at hydrothermal conditions at different temperatures for over 10 years. using these techniques, I should be able to predict long term characteristics of these cements. What is your favourite animal? I love all animals but dogs will forever have a special place in my heart What hobbies do you have? In London I like going to the theatre. When I go home to the Highlands I like hiking and open water swimming. Once you get over the shock of being in ice cold water there's a 20 minute window of pure exhilaration before the pain kicks back in. What did you want to be when you were younger? I wanted to be a vet until I found out that you had be intelligent to be a vet so I settled for nuclear scientist instead! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/db240f73-4baf-4262-af21-6b9e3cca5bfa/Anon.png Cohort Three - Mahin Choudhary The Open University A New Approach for 3D Mapping of Residual Stress Amongst available residual stress measurement techniques the contour method is a powerful technique capable of providing 2D map of residual stress across a plane of interest using equipment available in most workshops. The technique has been increasingly used to characterise residual stresses introduced by a wide range of manufacturing processes, for structural integrity assessments and validating numerical simulations. The aim of this project is to implement multiple residual stress measurement techniques including the contour method together with advanced numerical modelling to provide 3D maps of residual stress distribution for engineering structures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/0aa067b7-8280-4ebb-a0a5-89ad448c6283/De+Lara.jpg Cohort Three - Alejandra De Lara University of Cambridge Salt-cooled High Temperature Reactors My research continues with the development of the Fluoride-cooled Hight-Temperature Reactor (FHR) concept incorporating features from Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR). FHRs offer similar performance levels compared with Gen IV technologies with a potentially shorter development schedule. Previous work performed has shown that FHR reactors can benefit from British AGR technologies which could further reduce the required development time. What hobbies do you have? I love running. My favourite distance is the half marathon. Where is your favourite place to be? My favourite place on Earth is my hometown in southern Spain. I love spending time with my family and running along the beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/77b52f04-76f7-46f4-8275-221315e6a075/Anon.png Cohort Three - Alex Drake Imperial College London High-fidelity modelling of clad ballooning during a loss-of-coolant accident https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/0789c9e9-3590-4f37-a90f-0e1e2865473b/Dorward.jpg Cohort Three - Hugh Dorward University of Bristol Simulating the scatter of a polycrystalline in synchrotron diffraction using crystal plasticity simulation Crystal plasticity finite element models are widely used in nuclear materials to investigate deformation through mechanisms at the crystallographic level. However, these models are often computationally expensive to run. My project is looking at using statistical machine learning techniques to build surrogate models of these finite element models which run much faster, making methods requiring lots of model evaluations such as uncertainty analysis and calibration more efficient, as well as allowing evaluation of much larger models. Where are fives places you really want to visit before you die? Finland, Patagonia, Sicily, New Zealand and Yellowstone are all definitely on the bucket list. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/12d65473-21dc-45f6-9cec-6160bd6630f1/Makuch.jpeg Cohort Three - Maciej Makuch Imperial College London A new generation of models for predicting corrosion damage in stainless steel Stress corrosion cracking of stainless steel, as the name implies, it’s a phenomenon which involves mechanical stress to dissolve (corrode) a steel alloy that is meant to be non-corroding. Luckily, in our everyday lives we don’t meet environment that harsh and thanks to that, our cutlery and watches stay ever shiny and don’t turn into a pile of rust by themselves. However, when the stress corrosion cracking does occur, it is never as simple as just some salty water influence. Material microstructure, the way it was processed, the way it works and only then its chemical environment make up for a puzzling yet rewarding research topic. What’s the best thing you’ve got going on in life at the moment? I do love my research, I am not a very talkative guy, but I do like sharing on my own results as well as talking through possible problems met in my own or other people research. If you find me talking only about it, it’s not because I am all the time serious, but rather because I am really into it. How did you spend money from your very first job? I bought myself a motorbike suit and it is marvellous. Riding in rain is fun, unless you’re soaked to the bone, and you have a string wind blowing from the side. Ridding on a sunny day is nice, unless you’re boiling hot from the inside because it’s nearly 30 degrees. A proper motorbike suit can eliminate both problems, unless you ride in really extreme conditions. Who is the most competitive person you know? That would be my sister, Malwina. She’s always up for a challenge, but she will give up if she realises she can’t be the best in it. She will always try to best anyone who does the same thing she does, so frankly, the only way around it is either doing something else or being so exceptionally good at it that she won’t think of trying to beat you. Best do both. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/f42aed66-4716-4216-903f-94eb280ab073/Lea.jpg Cohort Three - Susannah Lea Imperial College London Peridynamics and Crystal Plasticity Finite Element Method Modelling of the Oxidation of Zirconium Alloys Zirconium is used for the cladding on fuel pins as it has high neutron transparency, however it is also susceptible to oxidation during reactor operation. My project is looking at modelling the growth of this oxidation layer and using this to understand hydrogen pickup, which is a life limiting factor for nuclear fuel, as hydrogen ingress has been linked to parabolic and sub-parabolic growth of the oxide layer. I am aiming to link together two modelling approaches which are the brittle fracture technique of peridynamics for the oxide layer and crystal plasticity finite element method for the underlying metal. This will give a comprehensive model capturing the stress states in both layers and how they interact to drive cracks and provide routes for hydrogen uptake. What hobbies do you have? I enjoy music and play both the trumpet and sing, as well as play badminton and I also love baking when I get the chance. What did you want to be when you were younger? An astronaut (and there’s still a bit of me that wouldn’t say no if I got the chance!) Where is your favourite place to be? The peak district, I did my Year in Industry in Derby and loved to go exploring at the weekends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/740c7119-ad07-4757-832f-894f68be6cf6/McKendrey.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/fd9780ed-190c-4ec0-9bb1-a5fe0a3c4312/Mohammed.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/a80856b0-0a5b-4372-a5f7-1714cfa675d4/Plows.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/a31acb27-f13d-4d3a-b870-ddffe44b6575/Robinson.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/a9d23e72-5d15-4baa-87e1-63bd3d640343/Ross.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/f02f9286-f60d-46c0-a31e-92ab9f612121/Anon.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/1c7de4ee-d099-42e5-80d6-a904102a0787/SPencer.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/9c94a05a-4a33-4610-82d0-eb9d3697d55d/Vallely.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/22d596b0-22b2-4ea1-86b8-055d38f94b0f/White.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eac1246ae6d3076867c8ddc/aa9bf4f1-9574-4b4c-be4a-3199610d2a0b/Wong.jpg