Our Research

Staff and students working on the SAFER device in Engineering

Nuclear energy’s ability to support the UK’s net-zero and energy security needs is not guaranteed – Nuclear Lancaster aims to tackle major challenges that are critical to its success.

Introduction
About Us
Research
People
PhDs

Nuclear research has been active at Lancaster for twenty-five years, leading in research and industrial income for the Faculty and the University.

Nuclear research has been active at Lancaster for twenty-five years, leading in research and industrial income for the University. We have expertise in fission and fusion fuel cycles, nuclear medicine, nuclear security and safeguards and the economics and social acceptability of nuclear. The establishment of Nuclear Lancaster catalyses Lancaster's engagement within the nuclear sector and establishes the University as a powerhouse for interdisciplinary nuclear research.

Lancaster is host to three National Nuclear User Facilities (NNUFs) (ADRIANA, UTGARD radiochemistry labs, and the Lancaster Accelerator Mass Spectrometer), which give us definitive, experimental research capability of national and international significance. Lancaster is also associated with the National Nuclear Laboratory and are represented on virtually all governmental advisory bodies including:

  • Nuclear Innovation and Research Advisory Board (NIRAB)
  • The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM)
  • The UKAEA Programme Advisory Committee
  • Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)

Our core research

Nuclear Lancaster has been established primarily to provide a forum to facilitate bringing relevant initiatives and stakeholders together, to address interdisciplinary challenges, resulting in a multiplicative effect and more impact for the sector. Our areas of research interests are far-reaching, but some of our core research interests are:

Nuclear Waste Management

Collaborating with colleagues from across the University, we are exploring ways of better managing nuclear waste disposal, as well as measuring the impact that current and proposed waste management processes may have on the environment.

Innovative Digital Technologies

A wide range of digital technologies - including AI, machine learning, digital twins, telecommunications networks, and (wireless) sensor networks - are being considered and developed in order to realise new operating concepts for small modular reactors. We are pioneering these technologies with researchers from across the University and the sector.

Nuclear Safety, Security & Non-Proliferation

With advances in both the fields of nuclear and digitalisation, we need to consider emerging cyber risks associated with the uptake of new nuclear technologies. Lancaster builds on its strong track record in cyber security research to address these risks. More broadly, the university has undertaken an £18M investment in Security and Protection Science (SPS), bringing together a unique set of expertise that can address nuclear security challenges. Lancaster’s NNUFs can be used to conduct research associated with nuclear safety and non-proliferation.

Nuclear Fuels and Reactors

A core aspect of our research is dedicated to developing newer, more efficient, and safer nuclear fuels and reactors. To this end, we have internationally recognized capabilities in the areas of novel nuclear fuel production and processing routes; post-irradiation examination of spent fuels; and spent fuel corrosion under storage and disposal conditions.

Our facilities