Royce is delighted to confirm the appointment of James Wade-Zhu (UK Atomic Energy Authority) and reappointment of Abbie Jones (University of Manchester, Professor of Nuclear Graphite Engineering) as Nuclear Research Area Leads (RAL). Royce Research Area Leads provide strategic leadership both across Royce and within their research area, supporting its wider development nationally and internationally.
The Institute would also like to offer huge thanks to outgoing RAL Anna Widdowson (UKAEA, Erosion and Deposition Group Leader) who is stepping down after three years in the role, supporting Royce on the nuclear materials agenda across materials for next generation fission and fusion power stations.
This research area enables innovation in radioactive materials research by providing a ‘bridge in activity’ between accessible low-activity studies at academic locations and the difficult to access high-activity capability available at facilities such as the NNL Central Lab.
The research area also seeks to enhance modelling across length and time scales to aid in the development of new codes and standards, which will positively benefit new nuclear build and potentially have impact across multiple sectors.
Commenting on the new RAL appointments, Professor David Knowles said:
“I’m delighted that Professor Abbie Jones will continue to expertly drive forward the vision of the Nuclear Materials Research Area, which is to help increase the UK’s existing economic strengths and competitive advantages in nuclear energy through materials innovation. She will be ably supported by our incoming RAL Dr James Wade-Zhu, with his deep knowledge of functional materials and their performance in simulated fusion environments.
I would also like to thank outgoing RAL UKAEA’s Dr Anna Widdowson for her unstinting support for Royce. The Nuclear Research Area has been highly successful in its endeavours, from the development of an active Steering Group to the securing of an array of grant funded- projects to support materials research in this critical field. Anna’s contribution has been invaluable.”
Professor Abbie Jones’ research focuses on the fundamental behaviour of nuclear graphite for use in reactor systems. Her research team undertakes independent research and advice of graphite behaviour of Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGR). She is a Professor of Nuclear Graphite Engineering at the University of Manchester.
James is currently the non-metallics lead at UK Atomic Energy Authority. His research interests are in the manufacture of advanced nuclear ceramics and ceramic composites and the microstructural mechanisms that govern their mechanical, thermal, and thermomechanical performance before and after irradiation. James is a Member of the IOM3 and an Associate Fellow of the HEA and sits on the Midlands Advanced Ceramics advisory board and is the UK representative for the International Energy Agency’s SiC/SiC composite working group.
In June Royce was also pleased to announce a number of new RAL appointments across its other Research Areas.
