Materials scientists face the challenge of devising a passive waste form
for long-term immobilisation and disposal of the UK’s surplus separated
plutonium. Daniel Reid and Neil Hyatt from the University of Sheffield,
UK, outline the possibilities.
The Swedish KBS-3 model for geological disposal of spent nuclear fuel is
explored by Lena Z Evins, from the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste
Management Company in Stockholm, and Neil Hyatt of The University of
Sheffield, UK.
Composites that can store electrical energy while also performing a
structural function could offer dramatic weight savings for devices and
vehicles. Dr Emile S Greenhalgh outlines the progress of research into such
materials.
The CEO of Saturn Minerals talks about his
company’s mining developments in Saskatchewan, western Canada, and their
growing importance as a provider of energy now and in the future.
Professor Robert Dorey, Head of the Microsystems and Nanotechnology Centre at Cranfield University, UK, considers the future of personal energy solutions and the role that materials science will play.
Piezo or ferroelectric properties, are finding favour in photocatalysis
and photovoltaic devices. Dr Steve Dunn, Senior Lecturer, at the Centre
for Materials Research, Queen Mary, University of London, outlines the
potential of these functional materials.
The search for materials to develop low-cost solar cell systems
continues. Professor Guosheng Shao from the University of Bolton, UK,
explores titanium dioxide at the molecular level.
Manufacturing materials consistently to identical standards is becoming
more feasible. Tim Nunney and Richard White, from global research
company Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc, outline the uses of X-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy.
The search for new sources of oil is ongoing and Estonia is the current
area of interest. Michael Forrest talks to Andreas Orth, Vice-President
for Energy, at Outotec, Germany, about oil shale.
