Email: s.middleburgh@bangor.ac.uk

We are always looking for exceptional candidates for PhD positions in the Nuclear Futures Institute. If you are interested in any of the following projects, please contact me.

• Novel nuclear fuel manufacture and in-reactor behaviour.
• Corrosion of materials within the nuclear environment.
• Materials for space and other extreme environments.
• Fusion materials development.
• Advanced glasses and amorphous systems.
• Nuclear forensics.

2024

• PublishedAdditive manufacture of zirconium alloys for thermal propulsion by selective powder deposition
  Makurunje, P., Callaghan, J. & Middleburgh, S., 31 Oct 2024, 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC). International Astronautical Federation (IAF), IAC-24,C2,LBA,1,x91846
  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
• PublishedAssessing Li accommodation at amorphous ZrO2 grain boundaries
  Stephens, G. F., London, I., Ghardi, M., Fraile, A., Rushton, M., Lee, B., Cole-Baker, A. & Middleburgh, S., 1 Jan 2024, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 154780.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedBreeder blanker for nuclear fusion reactor
  Middleburgh, S. (Inventor), 9 Jan 2024, Patent No. US11869677B2
  Research output: Patent
• PublishedDevelopment of Kernel Fuels for High Temperature Gas Reactor and Space Systems
  Middleburgh, S., Makurunje, P., Mohun, R., Goddard, D., Stephens, G. F., Callaghan, J. & Lee, B., 8 Oct 2024.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review
• PublishedEnhanced radiation damage tolerance in Zr-doped UO2
  Mohun, R., Middleburgh, S., Thomas, P. J. & Corkhill, C., 1 Dec 2024, In: Materialia. 38, 102226.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• E-pub ahead of printFirst-principles study of lithium aluminosilicate glass scintillators
  Ghardi, E., Scrimshire, A., Smith, R., Bingham, P., Middleburgh, S., Lee, W. & Rushton, M., 30 Jan 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. 26, 7, p. 6138-6147 10 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• E-pub ahead of printHydrogen desorption kinetics of hafnium hydride powders
  Pollard, J., Dumain, A., Stratton, B., Irukuvarghula, S., Astbury, J., Middleburgh, S., Giuliani, F. & Humphry-Baker, S. A., 6 Nov 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 155499.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedLithium stabilization of amorphous ZrO2
  Stephens, G. F., Wilson, J., Curling, S., He, G., Thomas, P. J., Williams, D., Ortner, S., Grovenor, C., Rushton, M., Cole-Baker, A. & Middleburgh, S., 6 May 2024, In: Progress in Nuclear Energy. 171, 105165.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedOn the design of a composite hydride-metal to accommodate hydride decomposition
  Middleburgh, S. (Inventor), 15 Feb 2024, Patent No. US20240055145A1
  Research output: Patent
• PublishedShifting to a 36-month fuel cycle with advanced moderating burnable absorbers enabling high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU)
  Bolukbasi, M., Middleburgh, S., Vrtiska, S. & Lee, B., 1 Mar 2024, In: Progress in Nuclear Energy. 105011.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedTi-Zr-Nb-(V) refractory alloy coatings deposited by high-power impulse magnetron sputtering: Structure, mechanical properties, oxidation resistance, and thermal stability
  Fraile, A., Cavaleiro, D., Bondarev, A., Middleburgh, S., Lee, B. & Fernandes, F., 1 Dec 2024, In: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A. 42, 6
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2023

• PublishedAddressing high processing temperatures in reactive melt infiltration for multiphase ceramic composites
  Makurunje, P., Middleburgh, S. & Lee, B., 1 Feb 2023, In: Journal of the European Ceramic Society. 43, 2, p. 283-197
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedAssessing the high concentration of vacancies in refractory high entropy alloys
  Wilson, J. A., Moore, C., Goddard, D. T. & Middleburgh, S. C., 1 May 2023, In: Materialia. 28, 101764.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedCreating Functional Digital Shadows of X-ray systems
  Mitchell, I., Vidal, F., Middleburgh, S., Garbout, A., Buffière, J.-Y. & Letang, J. M., Oct 2023.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review
• PublishedDiffusion in undoped and Cr-doped amorphous UO2
  Owen, M., Cooper, M. W. D., Rushton, M., Claisse, A., Lee, B. & Middleburgh, S., 1 Apr 2023, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 576, 154270.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedEnrichment of Chromium at Grain Boundaries in Chromia Doped UO2
  Middleburgh, S., Dumbill, S., Qaisar, A., Vatter, I., Owen, M., Vallely, S., Goddard, D., Eaves, D., Puide, M., Limback, M. & Lee, B., Mar 2023, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 575, 154250.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedIn-reactor behaviour and economic assessment of enriched gadolinia burnable absorbers
  Bolukbasi, M., Middleburgh, S. & Lee, B., Oct 2023, In: Progress in Nuclear Energy. 164, 104873.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedLayered neutron shielding
  Middleburgh, S. (Inventor), 26 Jan 2023, Patent No. US20230025227A1
  Research output: Patent
• PublishedModelling the impact of configurational entropy on the stability of amorphous SiO2
  Owen, M., Rushton, M., Cooper, M. W., Ghardi, M., Claisse, A., Lee, B. & Middleburgh, S., 1 Aug 2023, In: Scripta Materialia. 233, 115507.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedThe oxidation of uranium diboride in flowing air atmospheres
  Mistarihi, Q., Martini, F., Buckley, J., Middleburgh, S., Abram, T. & Turner, J., 1 Jul 2023, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 154417.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedUnderstanding the Mechanistic Role of Lithium in Accelerated Corrosion of Zirconium Alloys Using Advanced Characterization and Atomistic Simulation
  Garner, A., Gillen, C., Stephens, G. F., Styman, P., Armson, S., Jacqueline, R., Liu, J., Carruthers, A., Pickering, F., Sherry, S., ChoenMay, C., Fenwick, M., Hulme, H., Ortner, S., Riley, C., Grovenor, C., Frankel, P., Middleburgh, S. & Cole-Baker, A., 1 Nov 2023, p. 356-386. 31 p.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

2022

• PublishedCoated ZrN sphere-UO2 composites as surrogates for UN-UO2 accident tolerant fuels
  Costa, D. R., Hedberg, M., Adorno-Lopez, D., Delmas, M., Middleburgh, S., Wallenius, J. & Olsson, P., 15 Aug 2022, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 567, 153845.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedDefect Behaviour in the MoNbTaVW High Entropy Alloy (HEA)
  Lin-Vines, A., Wilson, J., Fraile, A., Evitts, L. J., Rushton, M., Astbury, J., Lee, W. E. & Middleburgh, S. C., Sept 2022, In: Results In Materials. 15, 100320.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review
• PublishedEffect of ZrB2 and UB2 Discrete Burnable Absorber Pins on Fuel Reactivity
  Bolukbasi, M., Middleburgh, S., Vrtiska, S. & Lee, B., 1 Aug 2022, In: Progress in Nuclear Energy. 150, 104295.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedFuel pellet
  Middleburgh, S. (Inventor), 17 May 2022, Patent No. US11335468B2
  Research output: Patent
• PublishedHydrogen Accommodation in the TiZrNbHfTa High Entropy Alloy
  Moore, C., Wilson, J., Rushton, M., Lee, B., Astbury, J. & Middleburgh, S., 1 May 2022, In: Acta Materialia. 229, 117832.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedInterface interactions in UN-X-UO2 systems (X = V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W) by pressure-assisted diffusion experiments at 1773 K
  Costa, D. R., Liu, H., Adorno-Lopez, D., Middleburgh, S., Wallenius, J. & Olsson, P., 1 Apr 2022, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 561, 153554.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedNuclear fuel pellet, a fuel rod, and a fuel assembly
  Middleburgh, S. (Inventor), 27 Sept 2022, Patent No. US11456083B2
  Research output: Patent
• PublishedPredicting the thermal expansion of body-centred cubic (BCC) high entropy alloys in the Mo-Nb-Ta-Ti-W system
  Wilson, J., Evitts, L. J., Fraile, A., Wilson, R., Rushton, M., Goddard, D., Lee, B. & Middleburgh, S., 1 Jul 2022, In: Journal of Physics: Energy. 4, 3, 034002.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedSelf-contained dual-scale composite architectures in spray dried zirconium diboride
  Makurunje, P., Woodhouse, G., Goddard, D. & Middleburgh, S., 15 Jun 2022, In: Ceramics International. 48, 12, p. 17529-17538
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2021

• PublishedAccommodation and Diffusion of Nd in Uranium Silicide - U3Si2
  Liu, H., Messina, L., Claisse, A., Middleburgh, S., Schuler, T. & Olsson, P., 15 Apr 2021, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 547, 152794.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedDiffusion in doped and undoped amorphous zirconia
  Owen, M., Rushton, M., Evitts, L. J., Claisse, A., Puide, M., Lee, B. & Middleburgh, S., Nov 2021, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 555, 153108.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedHigh-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Nuclear Applications
  Pickering, E., Carruthers, A., Barron, P., Middleburgh, S., Armstrong, D. & Gandy, A., 11 Jan 2021, In: Entropy. 23, 1, 98.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedIn-situ TEM investigation of nano-scale helium bubble evolution in tantalum-doped tungsten at 800 °C
  Ipatova, I., Greaves, G., Pacheco-Gutiérrez, S., Middleburgh, S., Rushton, M. & Jimenez-Melero, E., 1 Jul 2021, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 550, 152910.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedInterface properties of Ti3SiC2/Al2O3 ceramics: Combined experiments and first-principles calculations
  Ji, J., Yu, J., Lee, B., Middleburgh, S., Li, D., Wang, X., Li, Q., Wang, Z., Shi, G., Chen, F. & Zhang, L., 1 Mar 2021, In: Ceramics International. 47, 5, p. 6409-6417
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedLithium Accomodation in ZrO2
  Stephens, G. F., Evitts, L. J., Rushton, M., Lee, B., Middleburgh, S., Than, Y. R., Cole-Baker, A., Neilson, W., Murphy, S., Wenman, M. R., Grimes, R. W., Gotham, N. & Ortner, S., 29 Oct 2021, ENS TopFuel 2021 Conference proceedings. ENS TopFuel
  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
• PublishedOxidation of UN-U2N3/UO2 composites: an evaluation of UO2 as an oxidation barrier for the nitride phases
  Costa, D. R., Hedberg, M., Middleburgh, S., Wallenius, J., Olsson, P. & Lopes, D. A., Feb 2021, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 544, 152700.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedPerformance and economic assessment of enriched gadolinia burnable absorbers
  Bolukbasi, M., Middleburgh, S., Dahlfors, M. & Lee, B., Jul 2021, In: Progress in Nuclear Energy. 137, 103752.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedStructure and properties of amorphous uranium dioxide
  Middleburgh, S., Lee, B. & Rushton, M., 1 Jan 2021, In: Acta Materialia. 202, p. 366-375
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedThe UK National Thermal-Hydraulics Facility: Motivations, Design and Planning Status
  Dahlfors, M., Joannou, J., Brummitt, A., Rushton, M., Middleburgh, S. & Lee, B., 2021, EPJ Web of Conferences. EDP Sciences, Vol. 247. 11 p. 20006
  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
• PublishedThe accommodation of lithium in bulk ZrO2
  Stephens, G. F., Than, Y. R., Nelson, W., Evitts, L. J., Wenman, M., Murphy, S., Grimes, R. W., Cole-Baker, A., Ortner, S., Gotham, N., Rushton, M., Lee, B. & Middleburgh, S., 15 Dec 2021, In: Solid State Ionics. 373, 115813.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedThe future of medical radioisotope production in the UK: An introduction to nuclear medicine
  Evitts, L. J., Pearce, F., Middleburgh, S., Rushton, M. & Lee, B., 1 Aug 2021, Nuclear Future, 17, 4, p. 18-20 3 p.
  Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
• PublishedThe future of medical radioisotope production in the UK -- Part Two
  Evitts, L. J., Pearce, F., Middleburgh, S., Rushton, M. & Lee, B., 1 Nov 2021, Nuclear Future, 17, 6, p. 17-19 3 p.
  Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
• PublishedUltrafast femtosecond laser micro-marking of single-crystal natural diamond by two-lens focusing system
  Joya, Y., Yan, B., James, K., Yue, L., Middleburgh, S. & Wang, J., Mar 2021, In: Materials Today Communications. 26, 7 p., 101800.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedUranium: what the explosion in prices means for the nuclear industry
  Jones, E., Hemmings, D. & Middleburgh, S., 24 Sept 2021, The Conversation.
  Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
• PublishedUtilizing neutronics modelling to predict changing Pu ratios in UO2 in the presence of Th
  Evitts, L., Gilbert, M. R., Middleburgh, S., Lee, B. & Dahlfors, M., 1 Jul 2021, In: Progress in Nuclear Energy. 137, 103762.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2020

• PublishedA cladding tube, and a method of manufacturing a cladding tube
  Middleburgh, S. (Inventor), 22 Oct 2020, Patent No. US20200335231A1
  Research output: Patent
• PublishedA high density composite fuel with integrated burnable absorber: U3Si2-UB2
  Turner, J., Middleburgh, S. & Abram, T., 1 Feb 2020, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 529, 151891.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedA tubular ceramic component suitable for being used in a nuclear reactor
  Middleburgh, S. (Inventor), 26 Nov 2020, Patent No. US20200373022A1
  Research output: Patent
• PublishedEvidence of excess oxygen accommodation in yttria partially-stabilized zirconia
  Middleburgh, S. C., Ipatova, I., Evitts, L. J., Rushton, M. J. D., Assinder, B., Grimes, R. W. & Lee, W. E., 15 Jan 2020, In: Scripta Materialia. 175, p. 7-10
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedInfluence of boron isotope ratio on the thermal conductivity of uranium diboride (UB2) and zirconium diboride (ZrB2)
  Evitts, L., Middleburgh, S., Kardoulaki, E., Ipatova, I., Rushton, M. & Lee, B., Jan 2020, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 528, 151892.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedIon beam irradiation of ABO4 compounds with the fergusonite, monazite, scheelite, and zircon structures
  De Los Reyes, M., Aughterson, R., Gregg, D., Middleburgh, S., Zaluzec, N., Huai, P., Ren, C. & Lumpkin, G., Oct 2020, In: Journal of American Ceramic Society. 103, 10, p. 5502-5514
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedPhase Equilibria and Thermochemistry of Advanced Fuels: Modeling Burnup Behavior: Technical Report
  Besmann, T. M., McMurray, J., Nelson, A., White, J., Lahoda, E., Middleburgh, S., Claisse, A., Ulrich, T., Johnson, K., Kocevski, V., Adorno-Lopez, D. & Vogel, S., 31 Mar 2020, University of South Carolina Press.
  Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
• PublishedShort communication on further elucidating the structure of amorphous U2O7 by extended X-ray absorption spectroscopy and DFT simulations
  Thompson, N., Middleburgh, S., Evitts, L., Gilbert, M., Sennett, M. & Hyatt, N., 15 Dec 2020, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 542, 152476.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedSynthesis of Candidate Advanced Technology Fuel: Uranium Diboride (UB2) via Carbo/Borothermic Reduction of UO2
  Turner, J., Martini, F., Buckley, J., Phillips, G., Middleburgh, S. & Abram, T., Nov 2020, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 540, 1252388.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedThe Stability of Irradiation-Induced Defects in Zr3AlC2, Nb4AlC3 and (Zr0.5,Ti0.5)3AlC2 MAX Phase-Based Ceramics
  Bowden, D., Ward, J., Middleburgh, S., de Moraes Shubeita, S., Zapata-Solvas, E., Lapauw, T., Vleugels, J., Lambrinou, K., Lee, B., Preuss, M. & Frankel, P., 15 Jan 2020, In: Acta Materialia. 183, p. 24-35
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedThermal conductivity variation in uranium dioxide with gadolinia additions
  Qin, M., Middleburgh, S., Cooper, M. W. D., Rushton, M., Puide, M., Kuo, E. Y., Grimes, R. W. & Lumpkin, G. R., Nov 2020, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 540, 152258.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedUN microspheres embedded in UO2 matrix: an innovative accident tolerant fuel
  Ribeiro Costa, D., Hedberg, M., Middleburgh, S., Wallenius, J., Olssen, P. & Lopes, D. A., Nov 2020, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 540, 152355.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2019

• PublishedChoosing the correct strong correlation correction for U3Si2: influence of magnetism
  Liu, H., Claisse, A., Middleburgh, S. & Olssen, P., 15 Dec 2019, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 527, 151828.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedDefect evolution in burnable absorber candidate material: Uranium diboride, UB2
  Middleburgh, S., Burr, P. A., Kardoulaki, E. & Holmes, R., 1 Jan 2019, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 513, p. 45-55
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedDensity functional theory calculations of self- and Xe diffusion in U3Si2
  Middleburgh, S., Andersson, D., Stanek, C., Claisse, A., Beeler, B. & Liu, X.-Y., Mar 2019, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 515, p. 312-325 14 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedExperimental and computational assessment of U Si N ternary phases
  Lopes, D. A., Wilson, T. L., Kocevski, V., Moore, E. E., Besman, T. M., Wood, E. S., White, J. T., Nelson, A. T., Middleburgh, S. & Claisse, A., Apr 2019, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 516, April, p. 194-201
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedHigh temperature, low neutron cross-section highentropy alloys in the Nb-Ti-V-Zr system
  King, D. J. M., Cheung, S. T. Y., Humphry-Baker, S. A., Parkin, C., Couet, A., Cortie, M. B., Lumpkin, G. R., Middleburgh, S. & Knowles, A. J., Mar 2019, In: Acta Materialia. 166, p. 435-446
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedSEALER-UK Deliverable 1: UK-BEIS Advanced Modular Reactor Competition - Phase 1
  Middleburgh, S. & Wallenius, J., 14 Jan 2019, 127 p.
  Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
• PublishedStoichiometry deviation in amorphous zirconium dioxide
  Rushton, M. J. D., Ipatova, I., Evitts, L. J., Lee, W. E. & Middleburgh, S. C., 28 May 2019, In: RSC Advances. 9, 29, p. 16320-16327
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedVoid evolution in tungsten and tungsten-5wt.% tantalum under in-situ proton irradiation at 800 and 1000°C
  Ipatova, I., Harrison, R. W., Donnelly, S. E., Rushton, M. J. D., Middleburgh, S. C. & Jimenez-Melero, E., 1 Dec 2019, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 526, 151730.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2018

• PublishedA ceramic nuclear fuel pellet, a fuel rod, and a fuel assembly
  Middleburgh, S. (Inventor) & Hallstadius, L. (Inventor), 31 Oct 2018
  Research output: Patent
• PublishedA nuclear fuel pellet, a fuel rod, and a fuel assembly
  Middleburgh, S. (Inventor) & Puide, M. (Inventor), 14 Nov 2018
  Research output: Patent
• PublishedA sintered nuclear fuel pellet, a fuel rod, a fuel assembly, and a method of manufacturing a sintered nuclear fuel pellet
  Middleburgh, S. (Inventor), 22 Aug 2018
  Research output: Patent
• PublishedAnisotropy in the thermal expansion of uranium silicide measured by neutron diffraction
  Obbard, E. G., Johnson, K. D., Burr, P. A., Lopes, D. A., Gregg, D. J., Liss, K.-D., Griffiths, G., Scales, N. & Middleburgh, S. C., 1 Sept 2018, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 508, p. 516-520
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedAnnular Nuclear Fuel Pellets with Discrete Burnable Absorber Pins
  Middleburgh, S. (Inventor), 15 Nov 2018
  Research output: Patent
• PublishedCrystallographic evolution of MAX phases in proton irradiating environments
  Ward, J., Middleburgh, S., Topping, M., Garner, A., Stewart, D., Barsoum, M. W., Preuss, M. & Frankel, P., 15 Apr 2018, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 502, p. 220-227 8 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedDensity functional theory study of the magnetic moment of solute Mn in bcc Fe
  King, D. J. M., Middleburgh, S. C., Burr, P. A., Whiting, T. M., Fossati, P. C. & Wenman, M. R., 20 Jul 2018, In: Physical Review B . 98, 2, 024418.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedMethod to produce uranium silicides
  Middleburgh, S. (Inventor) & Lahoda, E. (Inventor), 27 Dec 2018
  Research output: Patent
• PublishedSolution of hydrogen in accident tolerant fuel candidate material: U3Si2
  Middleburgh, S. C., Claisse, A., Andersson, D. A., Grimes, R. W., Olsson, P. & Maskova, S., 1 Apr 2018, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 501, p. 234-237
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedThe formation and structure of Fe-Mn-Ni-Si solute clusters and G-phase precipitates in steels
  King, D. J. M., Burr, P. A. & Middleburgh, S., 1 Jul 2018, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 505
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2017

• PublishedFirst-principles study of defects and fission product behavior in uranium diboride
  Jossou, E., Oladimeji, D., Malakkal, L., Middleburgh, S., Szpunar, B. & Szpunar, J., 1 Oct 2017, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 494, p. 147-156 10 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedSpark plasma sintering and microstructural analysis of pure and Mo doped U3Si2 pellets
  Lopes, D. A., Benarosch, A., Middleburgh, S. & Johnson, K. D., 1 Dec 2017, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 496, p. 234-241 8 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2016

• PublishedPhase equilibria in the U-Si system from first-principles calculations
  Noordhoek, M. J., Besmann, T. M., Andersson, D., Middleburgh, S. C. & Chernatynskiy, A., 31 Oct 2016, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 479, p. 216-223 8 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedPredicting the formation and stability of single phase high-entropy alloys
  King, D. J. M., Middleburgh, S. C., McGregor, A. G. & Cortie, M. B., 1 Feb 2016, In: Acta Materialia. 104, p. 172-179
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedSynthesis and DFT investigation of new bismuth-containing MAX phases
  Horlait, D., Middleburgh, S. C., Chroneos, A. & Lee, W. E., 7 Jan 2016, In: Scientific Reports. 6
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2015

• PublishedModelling the thermal conductivity of (UxTh1-x)O-2 and (UxPu1-x)O-2
  Cooper, M. W. D., Middleburgh, S. C. & Grimes, R. W., Nov 2015, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 466, p. 29-35
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2014

• PublishedNovel Chemical Synthesis and Characterization of CeTi2O6 Brannerite
  Kong, L., Gregg, D. J., Karatchevtseva, I., Zhang, Z., Blackford, M. G., Middleburgh, S. C., Lumpkin, G. R. & Triani, G., 7 Jul 2014, In: Inorganic Chemistry. 53, 13, p. 6761-6768 8 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedPeroxide defect formation in zirconate perovskites
  Middleburgh, S. C., Karatchevtseva, I., Kennedy, B. J., Burr, P. A., Zhang, Z., Reynolds, E., Grimes, R. W. & Lumpkin, G. R., 14 Oct 2014, In: Journal of Materials Chemistry A. 2, 38, p. 15883-15888
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedSegregation and migration of species in the CrCoFeNi high entropy alloy
  Middleburgh, S. C., King, D. M., Lumpkin, G. R., Cortie, M. & Edwards, L., 25 Jun 2014, In: Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 599, p. 179-182
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedTheoretical and experimental Raman spectroscopic studies of synthetic thorutite (ThTi2O6)
  Zhang, Y., Cejka, J., Karatchevtseva, I., Qin, M., Kong, L., Short, K., Middleburgh, S. C. & Lurnpkin, G. R., 31 Mar 2014, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 446, 1-3, p. 68-72 5 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedThermal conductivity and energetic recoils in UO2 using a many-body potential model
  Qin, M. J., Cooper, M. W. D., Kuo, E. Y., Rushton, M. J. D., Grimes, R. W., Lumpkin, G. R. & Middleburgh, S. C., 10 Dec 2014, In: Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter. 26, 49
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2013

• PublishedAccommodation of Excess Oxygen in Group II Monoxides
  Middleburgh, S. C., Lagerlof, K. P. D. & Grimes, R. W., 1 Jan 2013, In: Journal of American Ceramic Society. 96, 1, p. 308-311 4 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedAccommodation, Accumulation, and Migration of Defects in Ti3SiC2 and Ti3AlC2 MAX Phases
  Middleburgh, S. C., Lumpkin, G. R. & Riley, D., 1 Oct 2013, In: Journal of American Ceramic Society. 96, 10, p. 3196-3201 6 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedGradual Structural Evolution from Pyrochlore to Defect-Fluorite in Y2Sn2-xZrxO7: Average vs Local Structure
  Zhang, Z., Middleburgh, S. C., de los Reyes, M., Lumpkin, G. R., Kennedy, B. J., Blanchard, P. E. R., Reynolds, E. & Jang, L.-Y., 19 Dec 2013, In: Journal of Physical Chemistry C. 117, 50, p. 26740-26749 10 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedRaman spectroscopic study of natural and synthetic brannerite
  Zhang, Y., Karatchevtseva, I., Qin, M., Middleburgh, S. C. & Lumpkin, G. R., 1 Jun 2013, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 437, 1-3, p. 149-153 5 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedStructure, properties and formation of PuCrO3 and PuAlO3 of relevance to doped nuclear fuels
  Fullarton, M. L., Qin, M. J., Robinson, M., Marks, N. A., King, D. J. M., Kuo, E. Y., Lumpkin, G. R. & Middleburgh, S. C., 2013, In: Journal of Materials Chemistry A. 1, 46, p. 14633-14640 8 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedThe incorporation of plutonium in lanthanum zirconate pyrochlore
  Gregg, D. J., Zhang, Y., Middleburgh, S. C., Conradson, S. D., Triani, G., Lumpkin, G. R. & Vance, E. R., 1 Nov 2013, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 443, 1-3, p. 444-451 8 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2011

• PublishedAtomic Scale Modeling of Point Defects in Zirconium Diboride
  Middleburgh, S. C., Parfitt, D. C., Blair, P. R. & Grimes, R. W., 1 Jul 2011, In: Journal of American Ceramic Society. 94, 7, p. 2225-2229 5 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2024

• Investigating the mechanisms of grain growth additive incorporation and their effect on the radiation stability of UO2 fuels

  24 Oct 2024

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
• Impact of Grain Size Variation of UO2 on Fission Gas Release

  15 Oct 2024

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
• Thermal conductivity and degradation due to fission product accommodation in uranium nitride

  15 Oct 2024

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
• Combining experiment and modelling to understand the manufacture and behaviour of next generation nuclear fuels

  14 Oct 2024

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
• Interactions of yttria with lithium in fusion relevant environments

  14 Oct 2024

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
• Sintering of chromia-doped UO2 studied by optical dilatometry

  14 Oct 2024

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
• Structural integrity in composite materials prepared by reactive melt infiltration

  14 Oct 2024

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
• Development of Kernel Fuels for High Temperature Gas Reactor and Space Systems

  Invited presentation at MS&T 2024: Kernel fuels have emerged as promising candidates for high temperature gas reactors due to their robust nature and exceptional tolerance at elevated temperatures. Their potential application in space systems has attracted significant attention from developers. Collaborating with the NNL, Bangor University is engaged in the advancement of a diverse range of candidate fuel systems. Leveraging novel manufacturing techniques and state-of-the-art computer modeling, our research aims to optimize the performance of these fuels. One area of focus is the integration of burnable absorbers within the UO2 and UCO kernels themselves. Our investigation includes an exploration of phase segregation, variations in thermal conductivity, and the impact of processing parameters, all of which are crucial for enhancing fuel performance. Moreover, our efforts extend to the development of manufacturing methods, complemented by optical dilatometry and simultaneous thermal analysis. These techniques enable precise calibration of sintering parameters, facilitating the refinement of fuel properties and performance.

  8 Oct 2024

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)

2023

• BBC Future - The nuclear reactors that could power bases on the Moon

  Scientific contribution to BBC Future feature

  18 Apr 2023

  Links:

  • https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240417-the-nuclear-reactors-that-could-power-moon-bases
  Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation (Contributor)

2022

• BU-IIA Funded Project: Design and Synthesis of Novel High Entropy Alloy Coatings for extreme environments

  Sustainability cannot be achieved without further improvement of existing technologies, or even better, with disruptive quantum leaps. Nuclear energy, both fission and fusion, in alliance with renewables, has a most important role to play towards the planet’s net zero CO2 goals. The challenging environments associated with next-generation nuclear reactors vary according to the reactor design and the components of interest, but involve extremes of temperature, radiation, corrosion, stress, and heat flux.

  A new kind of materials -called High Entropy Alloys (HEAs)- represent a unique opportunity for the design of alloys for harsh conditions, such as advanced nuclear applications, or other applications where current materials fall short. Surface coating technology has brought new vitality to the development of HEAs, which relieves the restrictions of preparation and industrial application caused by the cost of bulk HEAs and enhances the possibility of rapid design for new materials.

  Our project represents an integrative experimental/computational approach to develop a new generation of materials for nuclear reactors. We will study and design the new HEA coatings for extreme conditions of service, with minimal impact on the environment. The project links world-class research groups: i) Bangor University’s enhanced capabilities in advanced computational and experimental materials science and ii) University of Coimbra and Technical University Prague, worldwide recognized by the development/design and upscaling of coatings.

  The project is one more step to established strategic research partnerships with top groups worldwide; we aspire to establish strategic research partnerships with industry to go further for a demonstrator project.

  Funding awarded through the Bangor University Innovation and Impact Award (Research Wales Innovation Funding). Value = £50,000

  1 Apr 2022 – 31 Mar 2023

  Activity: Other (Contributor)
• BBC Wales Drive Interview - Fusion Power

  Discussed the latest advances in nuclear fusion.

  9 Feb 2022

  Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation (Contributor)
• Progress in Nuclear Energy (Journal)

  Progress in Nuclear Energy is an international review journal covering all aspects of nuclear science and engineering. In keeping with the maturity of nuclear power, articles on safety, siting and environmental problems are encouraged, as are those associated with economics and fuel management.

  Editorship of a journal raises the profile of the researcher and the researcher's institution. It allows many people in the field, internationally, to be made aware of the good work underway within the group and university. Editorships are visible to the general public via the journal's website.

  5 Jan 2022 →

  Activity: Editorial activity (Editorial board member)

2021

• An Investigation of Helium Mobility and Bubble Formation in a Lattice-Damaged FCC Metal

  PhD thesis

  16 Nov 2021

  Activity: Examination (Examiner)
• Advanced Technology Fuel Accelerated Development at Bangor University

  9 Nov 2021

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
• Peridynamics Modelling of Weibull Distributions for Nuclear Fuel Fracture

  PhD thesis

  20 Oct 2021

  Activity: Examination (Examiner)
• NuFuel 2021

  NuFuel is the pre-eminent European nuclear fuels conference and was hosted at Bangor University as a hybrid in-person/online event in September 2021.

  13 Sep 2021 – 16 Sep 2021

  Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Organiser)

2019

• Materials Research Society Fall Meeting and Exhibit

  Symposium organiser for EN17—Structure–Property Processing Performance Relationships in Materials for Nuclear Technologies

  1 Dec 2019 – 6 Dec 2019

  Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)
• UK India Civil Nuclear Scoping Workshop - EPSRC

  30 Apr 2019 – 1 May 2019

  Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)
• Materials research powering Wales’ nuclear ambitions

  28 Apr 2019

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
• Mechanistic understanding of accident tolerant fuel candidate materials: accelerating research, development and licensing

  Invited talk

  25 Mar 2019 – 26 Mar 2019

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
• Non-stoichiometry in monoclinic zirconia and amorphous zirconia

  Oral presentation

  10 Mar 2019 – 14 Mar 2019

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
• UK Japan Civil Nuclear Joint Research Meeting

  4 Feb 2019 – 9 Feb 2019

  Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)

2018

• Journal of Nuclear Materials (Journal)

  Outstanding reviewer status achieved

  Jul 2018

  Activity: Publication peer-review (Editorial board member)
• UK-Japan Workshop: Nuclear Joint Research Collaboration

  26 Mar 2018 – 28 Mar 2018

  Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)

• Intentional forensics of oxide nuclear fuels with isotopes of perturbed isotopic abundance - Lead Project = 2227803 (NTR-Net Partner Agreement)

  01/10/2024 – 15/10/2027 (Active)

• Oxford Sigma - Solid Breeder Material: Manufacturing demonstrators for solid breeder pebbles

  01/08/2024 – 15/04/2025 (Active)

• Rolls-Royce National Space Innovation Programme: R&D for NSIP Fuel Development

  01/07/2024 – 15/07/2025 (Active)

• NNL - Uranics Innovation Centre

  01/05/2024 – 15/04/2025 (Active)

• Tokamak Energy PDRA support

  01/02/2024 – 15/02/2025 (Active)

• NNL Coated Particle Fuel Project

  01/01/2024 – 15/02/2025 (Active)

• Nuclear Energy Futures CDT 0.5 FTE PhD NAAREA funded

  01/10/2023 – 15/10/2027 (Active)

• Jacobs 18 month PDRA: Novel fuel manufacture and performance

  01/09/2023 – 15/03/2025 (Active)

• SBRI Bid with Oxford Sigma

  01/07/2023 – 15/04/2025 (Active)

• Uranium Based Kernel / Coated Particle Fuel: In-Process Recycling Methodology EDNS97040117855

  01/04/2023 – 17/09/2024 (Finished)

• UKAEA Collaboration Agreement: Li-Impurities Collaboration

  01/01/2023 – 30/04/2026 (Active)

• Understanding chemical reactions in impure liquid lithium in fusion-relevant environments

  01/01/2023 – 31/01/2026 (Active)

• Advanced Fuel Cycle Programme – UO2 Doped Fuel Sintering Studies

  01/11/2022 – 30/09/2023 (Finished)

• Sêr Cymru STEMM Research Equipment: ELEMENT XR HIGH RESOLUTION ICP-MS

  01/11/2022 – 30/09/2023 (Finished)

• KESS II MRes with EDF Energy - BUK2E073

  01/10/2022 – 31/03/2024 (Finished)

• Nuclear Forensics of Uranium Compounds

  01/10/2022 – 31/10/2028 (Active)

• Bangor University Euratom PhD - SPH - NNL

  01/09/2022 – 01/04/2026 (Active)

• AFCP – Kernel fuel phase 3

  01/07/2022 – 17/09/2024 (Finished)

• UK-India Phase 5 project - IDS Steels for fission

  01/07/2022 – 30/07/2025 (Active)

• Bangor University hydride research programme for Tokamak Energy

  01/04/2022 – 31/10/2025 (Active)

• Enhanced Methodologies for Advanced Nuclear System Safety (eMEANSS)

  14/01/2022 – 31/01/2025 (Active)

• AFCP (Fast Reactor Fuels) Extension Project

  01/12/2021 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)

• Micro-NOVA - A novel compact neutron source for medical and energy applications.

  01/12/2021 – 29/12/2023 (Finished)

• Virtual Centre for the Application of Nuclear Systems in Space (VULCANS)

  01/12/2021 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)

• NEBULASS – Nuclear Energy for a Bangor University Lunar And Space System

  01/11/2021 – 17/09/2024 (Finished)

• Jacobs Nuclear Fuel for Marine Power Review

  01/10/2021 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)

• NNUF2a - Bangor University Fuel Fabrication Facility (BUFFF)

  01/10/2021 – 12/10/2023 (Finished)

• AFCP Extension - Kernel fuel

  01/08/2021 – 17/09/2024 (Finished)

• Modelling TC and TCD of UN-based alloys (PhD studentship)

  01/02/2021 – 31/01/2025 (Active)

• Advanced Fuel Cycle Programmes (AFCP) Lead Fast Reactor Materials Testing - Research and Development Services

  01/12/2020 – 30/09/2024 (Finished)

• Simulation of the Evolution of Physical Properties of Plutonium Oxide Powders through Ageing - Centre for Doctoral Training in Nuclear Engineering

  01/10/2020 – 31/12/2024 (Active)

• KESS II MRes with Tokamak Energy- BUK2211

  14/09/2020 – 31/03/2024 (Finished)

• KESS II MRes with Tokamak Energy- BUK2212

  14/09/2020 – 31/03/2024 (Finished)

• UK-Indian Nuclear Network (UKINN)

  01/08/2020 – 31/08/2025 (Active)

• 80761 - BU273 Simultaneous thermal analysis for advanced materials performance analysis

  01/06/2020 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)

• BEIS AMR Competition Phase 2 - Westinghouse LFR

  01/06/2020 – 17/09/2024 (Finished)

• KESS II MRes with Tokamak Energy- BUK2210

  01/04/2020 – 31/03/2024 (Finished)

• Advanced Fuel Cycle Programmes (AFCP) HIGH DENSITY FUEL KERNEL MANUFACTURE FOR AN ENCAPSULATED FUEL CONCEPT - Research and Development Services

  01/03/2020 – 30/09/2024 (Finished)

• Advanced alloy development for a new generation of nuclear fuel - Centre for Doctoral Training in Nuclear Engineering

  01/10/2019 – 31/07/2024 (Finished)

• Complex grain boundary behaviour in ZrO2 – Impact of Coolant Chemistry - Centre for Doctoral Training in Nuclear Engineering

  01/10/2019 – 31/10/2023 (Finished)

• KESS II Phd with Westinghouse Springfields - BUK2184

  01/08/2019 – 31/03/2024 (Finished)

• KESS II Phd with Springfields Fuels Ltd- BUK2183

  01/06/2019 – 31/03/2024 (Finished)

  Layman's description

  New fuels are being developed in collaboration with UK industry to help power the next generation of nuclear power reactors to be built here in Wales.