Nuclear engineering

Research in this area enables safe operation and life extension of current nuclear power stations, and develops technologies and policies to maximise the societal value of the next generation of nuclear systems.

Centres and institutes

Researchers in this area work with the following research centres and institutes:

This research activity is central to the Dalton Nuclear Institute and we host the UK National Fuel Centre of Excellence.

The Department undertakes research in nuclear fuel and reactor technology, novel reactor systems, irradiation damage in materials, structural integrity, plant operation and decommissioning, and societal impacts of nuclear technologies. This is supported by our underpinning expertise in manufacturing, particularly welding technologies and laser processing, and thermal hydraulics.

We have extensive facilities for storing, handling, and characterising active materials, enabling us to perform important, innovative experiments.

There is long-term, policy-shaping collaboration with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), with Rolls-Royce through the University Technology Centre (UTC) in nuclear fuels, and with EDF and NNL through the Modelling and Simulation Centre.