Dr Peter Martin
BSc, PhD
Expertise
Dr Martin is an expert in nuclear energy, metrology, reactor accidents, and waste management - with research spanning radiation detection to nuclear threat reduction; including projects in Ukraine, Japan, France, UK, and USA.
Current positions
Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow
Interface Analysis Centre
Contact
Press and media
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Biography
From his undergraduate degree in Geology (Bristol), Peter then undertook a PhD in Physics (also at the University of Bristol) where he examined the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident of March 2011. This multi-dimensional work involved the use of both unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's) equipped with novel radiation detection systems to explore the meter-scale contamination trends, as well as cutting-edge materials science methodologies to examine the microscopic fallout material that was released into the surrounding environment as a result of one of the worst ever nuclear accidents.
Following a brief time working in industry, with his expertise gained in radiation detection systems and materials science, in 2020 Peter obtained a highly prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) Research Fellowship, where he works alongside other international experts in the field to develop novel sensory platforms for deployment across multiple applications. Dr Martin has established himself as an international expert in nuclear materials, radiation detection, reactor accident scenarios and radiological release incidents arising from nuclear facilities. Alongside providing a large number of plenary and invited talks on his specialism around the world, as a young and accessible speaker, he has worked extensively with global media outlets to give expert commentary on topical issues across nuclear.
Research interests
Dr Martin is a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow in the School of Physics at the University of Bristol where he conducts a research programme that seeks to develop more responsive, higher-resolution and lower-cost platforms for detecting and preventing the unauthorised movement of radioactive materials, as well as the radiological monitoring networks in which they reside. Dr Martin is an international expert in nuclear materials, radiation detection, accident scenarios and radiological release incidents arising from nuclear facilities.
Since his PhD at the University of Bristol, Dr Martin has established an extensive collaborative network of supporters in the UK (including; UK Atomic Weapons Establishment, Sellafield, Gunnebo, Hamamatsu Photonics and the UK Atomic Energy Authority) and worldwide; both academic and industrial, including partners in Japan (Fukushima), USA, France, Canada, Ukraine (Chernobyl) and Portugal.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
University of Bristol International Strategic Fund (2023) - Tokyo University Visit to University of Bristol
Principal Investigator
Description
Since the accident at the Fukushima power plant, Bristol has established strong links across Japan having received multiple research council, industry and charity funding awards. Internally, this work on evaluating…Managing organisational unit
Interface Analysis CentreDates
07/02/2023 to 31/07/2023
Chornobl Delegation Visit to University of Bristol
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Interface Analysis CentreDates
24/01/2022 to 25/01/2022
RAIN at Chernobyl
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Interface Analysis CentreDates
01/09/2021 to 01/10/2021
TRANSCEND Impact Activities Support Fund - Virtual Energy: exploring nuclear engineering challenges through virtual reality.
Principal Investigator
Description
Virtual Energy: exploring nuclear engineering challenges through virtual reality.Managing organisational unit
Interface Analysis CentreDates
01/02/2021 to 31/07/2021
TRANSCEND Impact Fund
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Interface Analysis CentreDates
01/11/2020 to 31/10/2021
Publications
Recent publications
01/03/2024Unlocking the potential of sensors for our environment
Coventry University
A highly scalable and autonomous spectroscopic radiation mapping system with resilient IoT detector units for dosimetry, safety and security
Journal of Radiological Protection
An investigation of the reaction of metallic uranium with oxygen/nitrogen gas mixtures
Journal of Nuclear Materials
Examining the Residual Radiological Footprint of a Former Colliery
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
Implementation of Novel Evolutional Algorithm for 3-Dimensional Radiation Mapping and Gamma-Field Reconstruction within the Chornobyl Sarcophagus
Algorithms
Thesis
The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident: An Analysis Over 10 Orders of Magniture
Supervisors
Award date
19/06/2019