Assessment of the Effects of Ionising Radiation on the Properties of Vitrified UK High Level Waste

该项目提供了一个与英国国家核实验室(NNL)合作的独特机会，应用基础科学来应对核废物管理的挑战。核燃料回收产生的高放射性废物目前被合并到玻璃基质中。这项研究将采用实验室实验和分子模拟相结合的方法来表征辐射对一种新玻璃配方的结构影响。使用非放射性废物模拟物的工业实际玻璃将使用扫描电子显微镜、X射线衍射、红外拉曼和核磁共振等技术进行表征。结构变化对玻璃耐久性的影响也可以通过浸出试验来确定。对已经无定形的材料进行辐射损伤的特征是一项具有挑战性的任务；该项目的成功将需要一位积极进取和积极主动的候选人。从实验室收集的数据可以用分子动力学程序如DL_POLY和LAMPPS进行验证。因此，了解Fortan或C++等编程语言以及Linux将是有益的。通过该项目，将与国际努力进行比较，从而使成功的候选人有极好的机会在国际舞台上崭露头角。该项目还提供了在美国和塞拉菲尔德NNLS中心实验室工作的机会，因此，成功的候选人必须能够申请适当的签证和安全许可的基线标准。此外，你必须满足这个博士学位的资助要求，其中规定了英国或欧盟的国籍。这个项目的基础是曼彻斯特大学道尔顿·坎布里安设施，所以不是在曼彻斯特。监督小组包括曼彻斯特大学的劳拉·利和西蒙·M·皮姆布洛特，以及NNL的迈克·哈里森。道尔顿坎布里亚核设施位于西坎布里亚郡怀特黑文附近的西湖科技园摩尔街，是道尔顿核研究所(DNI)和化学学院研究计划的一部分。DCF于2013年9月正式启用，在欧洲是独一无二的，为学术界在辐射科学、核工程退役和放射性废物管理领域开展世界领先的研究提供了实验设备和支持环境。

This project offers a unique opportunity to work with the UKs National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), applying fundamental science to address the challenge of nuclear waste management. High Level Waste from nuclear fuel recycling is currently incorporated into a glass matrix. This research will involve the characterisation of radiation effects on the structure of a new glass formulation using a combined approach of laboratory experiment and molecular simulation. Actual glasses from industry, using a non-radioactive waste simulant, will be characterised using techniques such as SEM, XRD, IR-Raman and NMR amongst others. The effect of structural changes on the durability of this glass can also be determined using leaching trials.Characterisation of radiation damage to already amorphous materials is a challenging task; the success of this project will require a highly motivated and proactive candidate. Data collected from laboratory experiment can be validated using molecular dynamics packages such DL_Poly and LAMPPS. As such, knowledge of a programming language such as FORTAN or C++ as well as Linux would be beneficial.Throughout the project, comparison will be made to international efforts and so allows the successful candidate an excellent chance to make a name for themselves on an international stage. The project also offers the opportunity to work both in the United States and at NNLs Central Lab on Sellafield Site and as such the successful candidate must be able to apply for an appropriate visa and for a baseline standard of security clearance. In addition, you must meet the funding requirements of this PhD studentship which stipulate UK or EU nationality.This project is based at the University of Manchesters Dalton Cumbrian Facility and so is NOT based in Manchester. The Supervisory team includes Laura Leay and Simon M. Pimblott of The University of Manchester as well as Mike Harrison of NNL. The Dalton Cumbrian Facility is located on the Westlakes Science & Technology Park, Moor Row near Whitehaven in West Cumbria as part of the research programmes of the Dalton Nuclear Institute (DNI) and the School of Chemistry. The DCF was officially opened in September 2013 and is unique in Europe, providing the experimental equipment and supporting environment for academics to carry out world-leading research in the areas of radiation science, nuclear engineering decommissioning and the management of radioactive waste.