Inaugural Lecture - Minerals Matter: The Bedrock of Radioactive Waste Disposal - Professor Claire Corkhill

We are pleased to welcome Professor Claire Corkhill for her Inaugural Lecture on: Minerals Matter - The Bedrock of Radioactive Waste Disposal.

Abstract:

Many countries that utilise nuclear power to generate electricity have opted for a geological solution to the disposal of radioactive waste: to isolate it from future civilisations in a deep underground repository. Here, the highly radioactive waste can decay to much safer levels, over a period of one million years, without endangering the biosphere. Geologically speaking, this is not a long time. But when we consider that the man-made components of this facility – including the waste itself, the containers and backfill – should also have longevity, finding materials that are corrosion and radiation resistant over such long time scales is challenging. That’s where minerals have (at least some of) the answers.

In this talk, Professor Claire Corkhill will describe how ancient natural minerals and glasses can be used as templates for designing durable materials for radioactive waste disposal, why mineral transformations are important in maintaining a safe disposal facility, and why some minerals are better than others when it comes to keeping radioactivity safely locked away.

Attendance is free, booking required via Eventbrite.