Life cycle management of radioactive materials packaging is of fundamental importance because it ensures the safety functions of the waste container during the entire life cycle, from storage to transportation and disposal. Therefore, research currently focuses on the use of new materials for improved safety functions of transportation vessels and storage containers. However, this new generation of containers are likely to require many years to be introduced in the nuclear waste cycle management. Because of that, there is the need to develop in-situ real time sensing solutions, which can be directly integrated in the current transportation vessels and storage containers.
In this project we aim at fabricating wireless and printed sensors for in situ monitoring of the nuclear containers by exploiting the properties of graphene and similar low dimensional materials. The student will learn to make printable inks, to fabricate the devices, perform related measurements and connect the devices to RFIDs for wireless reading. The student will have the opportunity to direct interact with the National Nuclear Lab by having regular meetings and visiting their sites, hence getting insights into the challenges faced by the nuclear industry, in particular in waste disposal.
We are looking for a student with strong interest in printed electronics, but also open to understand the challenges of the integration of these devices into a challenging environment such as the one of nuclear waste containers.
Academic background of candidates
Applicants are expected to hold, or about to obtain, a minimum upper second class undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in material science, formulation chemistry, nuclear chemistry, electrical engineering or related areas. A Master degree in related subject and/or experience in colloidal chemistry and/or sensors is desirable.
Contact for further Information
Prof Cinzia Casiraghi
Email: [Email Address Removed]
Website: http://casiraghi.weebly.com/
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