This talk will look at how the current range of nuclear reactor systems were established and spread across the developed world, as well as the prospects for use of advanced nuclear systems, including moving beyond electricity to the use of nuclear heat.

Please register to join in-person or remotely through Teams.

Location: Nancy Rothwell 3A.012

Abstract

Civil nuclear energy emerged from the developments needed for construction of nuclear weapons in WWII and subsequent development of systems for naval propulsion. This talk looks at how the current range of nuclear reactor systems were established and spread across the developed world.

The expansion of nuclear power was also shaped by issues on use of fossils fuels as way of avoiding periods of power cuts for lack of access to oil and later gas. Incident at nuclear power station have also been important in shaping development and now climate change has become a major factor.

As well as the main lines of reactor development the talk will look at the prospects for use of advanced nuclear systems including moving beyond electricity to the use of nuclear heat.

Speaker

Juan Matthews began his career at the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s Harwell Laboratory researching and managing research in fast reactor and nuclear safety. His research was mainly on computer modelling of nuclear fuel and radiation damage.

In the 1990s he was involved in the privatisation of AEA Technology, the commercial part of UKAEA, and then managed materials and chemistry research for the new organisation. Later he moved to Japan for 5 years as Regional Director for Asia Pacific. From 2001 he worked on DTI and UK Trade and Investment activities as an energy technology specialist. The latter part of this role covered advising on the investment and supply chain for nuclear new build.

Currently Juan is a visiting professor at the Dalton Nuclear Institute of The University of Manchester, where he is involved in nuclear policy development and research on advanced fission and fusion systems.

About us

In celebration of the Dalton Nuclear Institute’s 20th anniversary, this year we are launching our Dalton Expert Insights series. Hosted by the Dalton Champions, this series brings together leaders from the Dalton Community to share their views and experiences across the breadth of the nuclear industry with a wider audience. This will provide an exciting opportunity to engage with subject matter experts and broaden your nuclear knowledge.

The series is hosted by the Dalton Champions - members of Manchester's nuclear research community who work to enhance the network. Champions are based throughout the University, representing the many departments in which nuclear related research takes place.

The University of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Institute brings together the University's community of over 170 PhD researchers, postdocs and fellows, and 120 academics. Spread across three faculties, their work covers the full nuclear fuel cycle, fusion, health and social research. Together this community forms the most advanced nuclear research capability in the UK.

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Dalton Expert Insights: History of Civil Nuclear Energy with Juan Matthews