IMNS Seminar Series: Robust Microelectrode Sensors for High Temperature Processing of Spent Nuclear Fuel

Location: 

Conference Room 1:03/1:04, SMC, King's Building Campus (http://www.ed.ac.uk/maps/buildings/scottish-micro-electronic-centre)

Date: 

Tuesday, September 2, 2014 - 12:30

The Institute of Integerated Micro and Nano Systems are pleased to announce the following lunchtime seminar:

Robust Microelectrode Sensors for High Temperature Processing of Spent Nuclear Fuel

Speaker: Dr Damion Corrigan, School of Chemistry Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh

To satisfy global energy demand and to improve the safety profile of nuclear power it is imperative to develop a more sustainable nuclear fuel cycle. The molten salt lithium chloride potassium chloride eutectic (LKE) is a promising medium for the high temperature processing of spent nuclear fuel. Industrial processes are normally run between 450 and 500 degC in LKE and the presence of reactive species produces a corrosive medium. Therefore, it is no simple task to develop analytical devices that can monitor processing within molten salt solutions.

As part of the REFINE project, the School of Chemistry and the IMNS at the University of Edinburgh are working together to develop sensors for online monitoring of fuel reprocessing. The project involves the fabrication and electrochemical characterisation of microelectode sensors which are capable of operating in the extreme temperatures and highly corrosive environments of the LKE medium.

This talk will discuss aspects of electrode fabrication and electrochemical characterisation, looking in particular at device lifetime and robustness and including a discussion of the importance of high temperature reprocessing in providing a sustainable nuclear fuel cycle.

Biography:

Dr Damion Corrigan is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh. He has a background in electrochemical sensor development and is currently developing microelectrode sensors for use in the nuclear fuel cycle. Prior to joining the School of Chemistry, he worked at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in the Medical School on rapid electrochemical assays for the antibiotic resistant bacterium MRSA. Before coming to Edinburgh, as a PDRA in the electrochemistry group at the University of Southampton he developed a spectro-electrochemical assay for forensic DNA analysis under the supervision of Professor Phil Bartlett. Damion has a PhD and previous postdoctoral appointments in the field of analytical chemistry which were funded by GSK. His research encompasses aspects of electrochemistry, analytical chemistry and sensor development.

Further Information

Dr Damion Corrigan, University of Edinburgh
Dr Damion Corrigan, University of Edinburgh

Event Contact Name: 

Dr Jonathan Terry

Event Contact Email: