Influence on UK Government’s Nuclear R&D Programmes and Policy
Submitting Institution
Imperial College LondonUnit of Assessment
Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and MaterialsSummary Impact Type
PoliticalResearch Subject Area(s)
Chemical Sciences: Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry, Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural)
Engineering: Materials Engineering
Summary of the impact
Through strategic national roles Grimes and Lee have had a major impact
on the expansion of the UKs nuclear R&D programme since 2000 and on
directing Government policy in the nuclear sector. Their research led
directly to appointments to influential positions including (Grimes) as
Specialist Advisor Nuclear to the House of Lords Science and Technology
Committee (HoLSTC) for their report on Nuclear R&D Capabilities and
(Lee) as Deputy Chair of the Government Advisory Committee on Radioactive
Waste Management (CoRWM), which has a major scrutiny and advice role to
Government's £multi-billion Managing Radioactive Waste Safely (MRWS)
programme reporting directly to the Energy Minister. Due to his unique
insight in nuclear engineering Grimes is now Chief Scientific Adviser to
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Underpinning research
Imperial College has a long-established world-leading position in nuclear
materials with emphasis on understanding how to develop nuclear fuel
performance predictions, processing, structure and design and durability
of glass, glass composite and ceramic waste forms.
Grimes has worked on fuels and modelling at Imperial College since 1995
and as Professor since 2002. His work (e.g. reference 1) led to a
fundamental understanding of the underlying physical processes that
control key performance properties such as fission gas retention and
thermal conductivity. He has been the international leader in predicting
how fission products behave in fuel for over 20 years and was recently the
first to publish papers on dislocations in fuel, which control creep of
fuel during reactor operation. This industry focus led to sponsorship from
British Energy (now EdF Energy), Westinghouse and most recently the
Rolls-Royce Nuclear University Technology Centre (UTC). Equivalent work in
ceramic waste form performance and radiation damage behaviour has resulted
in collaborations and sponsorship from Los Alamos National Laboratory and
the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). His
work has identified radiation tolerant ceramic waste host materials and
ensembles of phases (reference 2) for composite waste forms, including the
first predictions of glass-crystal interface structures and partition of
fission products between phases. Grimes has unequivocally demonstrated the
central role that modelling and simulation must play in the development of
nuclear materials. His publication of articles such as that in Science
(reference 3) provide a technical assessment of current and future reactor
and fuel cycle options for the UK specifically but also globally, thereby
outlining direction for the development of nuclear energy.
Lee's research has provided unique understanding of the processing and
durability of vitreous and ceramic nuclear waste forms (references 4-6).
Specifically, his work on the concept of glass composite materials
(reference 4) highlighted the potential for waste form materials between
the ostensibly completely amorphous glass waste hosts (such as the
borosilicate glasses used by the UK and France for their High Level
Wastes, HLWs) and fully crystalline ceramic waste forms (such as Synroc,
Synthetic Rock now marketed by ANSTO). References 4 and 5 developed
fundamental understanding of the various mechanisms for crystal formation
in simulant HLW glasses and led to the concept of making durable waste
forms containing crystals. Previously it had been assumed the presence of
such crystals would inevitably be detrimental to the waste forms
durability. Reference 6 used this understanding to demonstrate the
application of glass composite materials to a significant UK waste stream
and that the resulting waste form was durable. Large volumes of difficult,
ill-defined, radioactive wastes at sites such as Sellafield and Hanford in
the USA have led to this sensible engineering approach being adopted
worldwide.
References to the research
* References that best indicate quality of underpinning research.
1. *Parfitt D. C. and Grimes R. W. "Predicting the Probability for
Fission Gas Resolution into Uranium Dioxide," J. Nucl. Mat. 392,
28 (2009). DOI:
10.1016/j.jnucmat.2009.03.046.
2. *Sickafus, K. E.; Grimes, R. W.; Valdez, J. A.; Cleave, A.; Tang, M.;
Ishimaru, M.; Corish, S.; Stanek, C.; Uberuaga, B. P. "Radiation-induced
Amorphization Resistance and Radiation Tolerance in Structurally Related
Oxides," Nature Materials, 6, 217-223 (2007). DOI:
10.1038/nmat1842.
3. Grimes RW, Nuttall WJ "Generating the Option of a Two-stage Nuclear
Renaissance," Science, 329, 799-803, (2010). DOI:
10.1126/science.1188928.
4. WE Lee, MI Ojovan, MC Stennett and NC Hyatt, "Immobilisation of
Radioactive Wastes in Glasses, Glass Composite Materials and Ceramics," Adv.
Applied Ceramics 105 3-12 (2006). DOI:
10.1179/174367606X81669.
5. PB Rose, DI Woodward, MI Ojovan, NC Hyatt and WE Lee, "Crystallisation
of a Simulated Borosilicate High-level Waste Glass Produced on a
Full-scale Vitrification Line," J. Non-Cryst. Solids. 357
2989-3001 (2011). DOI:
10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2011.04.003.
6. *M Juoi, MI Ojovan and WE Lee, "Microstructure and Leaching Durability
of Glass Composite Wasteforms for Spent Clinoptilolite Immobilisation," J.
Nucl. Mats. 372 358-366 (2008). DOI:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2007.04.047.
Details of the impact
- Grimes' work on nuclear fuel performance and waste behaviour, in
particular on radiation damage of nuclear materials (references 1 and 2)
has led to him becoming arguably the UKs leading nuclear scientist
(sources A,B). He was part, as the nuclear expert, of a UK
industry/academia delegation to India in 2010 led by the Prime Minister
David Cameron. During the Fukushima incident in 2011 he was called upon
to be a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE),
providing the science advice to the Cabinet Office Briefing Room A
(COBRA), on issues such as the state of the reactors and the safety of
UK nationals. Subsequently, he was appointed a member of the Office of
Nuclear Regulation's Technical Advisory Panel reporting to the Secretary
of State (2011) on the implications for the UK nuclear industry of the
Fukushima nuclear accident.
- Grimes' fundamental understanding of nuclear issues (e.g. references
1-3) and his civil nuclear leadership (sources B and C) also resulted in
Rolls-Royce placing a University Technology Centre (UTC) in Nuclear
Engineering at Imperial, of which he is founding Director. Rolls-Royce
regards this UTC as playing a central role in the development of its new
civil nuclear business. He was the Specialist Advisor to the House of
Lords Science and Technology Committee (HoLSTC) for its 2011 enquiry and
report on Nuclear R&D Capabilities which highlighted the urgent need
for fundamental change in the way that nuclear research is conducted in
the UK. This led to his appointment in March 2012 to the UK Government
Nuclear Research and Development Advisory Board chaired by the
Government Chief Scientific Advisor, which reported to Government early
2013 advising on the development of a long-term nuclear energy strategy.
Lee was appointed Specialist Advisor to the HoLSTC for their 2013
follow-up to the 2011 report on Nuclear R&D Capabilities.
- Grimes was a member of the Royal Society Working Group on Nuclear
Non-Proliferation, which generated the report Fuel Cycle Stewardship in
a Nuclear Renaissance (source A) and subsequently co-chaired the
discussion meeting Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century. In his
supporting letter (source B) the Chairman of the UKAEA emphasises Grimes
"vital role for the progress of nuclear physics, nuclear engineering and
nuclear materials activities in the UK as expert technical advisor to
the HoLSTC you were instrumental in guiding their Lordships to a hard
hitting report on the status of Nuclear R&D in the UK and the need
for a clearly defined and substantial R&D programme to underpin the
new Nuclear Build.....". Grimes's and Lee's influence was clearly
demonstrated in the recent report of the Ad Hoc Nuclear R&D
Advisory Board chaired by the Government chief scientific adviser (CSA)
with Grimes as member (source C) which made several recommendations to
Government including the setting up of a National Nuclear R&D
Advisory Board, a National Nuclear Users Facility and a strong programme
of R&D in support of geological disposal all of which the Government
has begun to put in place (source D). Grimes has been working with the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Science and Innovation Team promoting UK
nuclear research capabilities, particularly in India (leading to an
EPSRC-India portfolio of joint projects) and SE Asia, and was appointed
Chief Scientific Advisor to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Feb.
2013.
- Lee's unique understanding of the processing and durability of
vitreous and ceramic waste forms (references 4-6) gave him the expertise
to be appointed CoRWM Deputy Chair in Oct 2007. CoRWM has since had a
major influence on the Government's £multi-billion MRWS programme via
its scrutiny and advice role to DECC (specifically the Energy Minister
and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change) and the Nuclear
Decommissioning Authority (NDA). Lee lead the CoRWM R&D Group form
2007-13 and met regularly with the research leaders of the NDA, RWMD,
NNL, Sellafield Sites, EdF Energy, RCUK (EPSRC/NERC) offering formal and
informal scrutiny and advice. This culminated in the CoRWM R&D
Report (2009) whose 6 key recommendations (source E) were reported to
the HoLSTC (source F) and where possible at this stage in the MRWS
programme, have mostly been accepted and acted upon by Government.
Specifically, his work on the concept of glass composite materials
(reference 4) had led to the UK now developing such waste forms through
development work at Sellafield Sites plc using thermal methods such as
plasma melting to host some of the ill-defined wastes in the Sellafield
Legacy Ponds and Silos. These represent the biggest threat to UK
security and cost £70M/annum just to keep in their current state.
- As an example, the first CoRWM recommendation (source E) on improved
coordination of the UKs radwaste R&D programme led directly to
changes to the NDAs Research Board while another recommendation
influenced the process by which outside users can access the NNLs active
facilities. As CoRWM Deputy Chair Lee had regular meetings with the CEO
of the NDA, the DECC Chief Scientific Advisor, the Energy Minister, the
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change as well as leading
civil servants in the DECC nuclear team. These meetings influenced
Government waste management policy specifically in the repository
volunteerism process, additional support from RCUK for waste R&D and
greater participation in international programmes.
- In his supporting letter (source G) the CoRWM Chair highlights
reference 4 as one of the reasons for Lee's appointment to CoRWM and
lists areas where CoRWM's R&D Report had influence including in "the
establishment of an Advisory Board on Nuclear R&D, chaired by the
Government Chief Scientific Advisor, with a remit that includes R&D
related to management of legacy and new build radioactive wastes".
- CoRWM also does a significant amount of public engagement and this has
led to several radio appearances and work with public and other
stakeholders in the UK (source H) and abroad (e.g. Bure, France).
Grimes' high media profile (source H) and TV/radio appearances during
the Fukushima accident were responsible for the UK public remaining
positive about the nuclear option (source B).
Sources to corroborate the impact
A. Royal Society non-proliferation project report "Fuel Cycle Stewardship
in a Nuclear Renaissance" published October 2011 DES2159. ISBN:
978-0-85403-891-6. http://royalsociety.org/policy/projects/nuclear-non-proliferation/report/
(Archived at https://www.imperial.ac.uk/ref/webarchive/blf)
Corroborates Grimes' role in Royal Society Working Group.
B. Chairman of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Corroborates
Grimes' leadership role and influence in his advisory roles with Royal
Society, HoLSTC, EPSRC Nuclear Champion and media impact and on Grimes
influence on UK's nuclear R&D programme (Sept. 2012).
C. HL Paper 221 — `Nuclear Research and Development Capabilities.' Report
from House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology, 3rd Report
of Session 2010-12, November 2011. http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/science-and-technology-committee/news/nuclear-report-press-notice/
(Archived at https://www.imperial.ac.uk/ref/webarchive/clf)
Grimes is identified as Specialist Advisor on p98 which
corroborates Grimes' significant role in the influential HoLSTC report and
resulting Government policy.
D. UK Nuclear Strategy suite of documents in BIS-lead review including
report of Ad Hoc Nuclear R&D Advisory Board (HM Government report
BIS/13/628) and Nuclear R&D Landscape Future Pathways. All of the
documents published March 26 2013,
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-business-innovation-skills/series/nuclear-industrial-strategy
(Archived at
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/ref/webarchive/k8f)
Corroborates Grimes' membership of the Nuclear R&D Advisory Board
chaired by John Beddington and the reports reveal the extent of Grimes'
and Lee's impact on the report's recommendations.
E. CoRWM Report to Government October 2009 'National Research and
Development for Interim Storage and Geological Disposal of Higher Activity
Radioactive Wastes, and Management of Nuclear Materials.' — WE Lee, lead
author. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130503173700/http://corwm.decc.gov.uk/assets/corwm/post-nov%2007%20doc%20store/documents/reports%20to%20government/2010/2807-final-annual-report-2009-10.pdf
Archived here
on 28/10/2013.
Corroborates Lee's leadership of this influential report to Government.
The impact of its recommendations is corroborated in sources C and D.
F. Presentation of Evidence to the House of Lords Science and Technology
Committee (HoLSTC): Nuclear R&D Capabilities ( 3rd Report
of Session 2010-12, HL Paper 221). Live national webcast from Parliament
(Lee, 21 June 2011).
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=8652.
(Archived at
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/ref/webarchive/cwf)
Corroborates Lee's presentation of the CoRWM R&D report to the HoLSTC
and discussions on its impact.
G. Statement from Chair of CoRWM on influence on waste related R&D
which corroborates the impact of Lee's research in his being appointed to
CoRWM and the influence of his lead authorship of the CoRWM R&D report
on informing Government policy.
H. Both Lee and Grimes have made high-profile media appearances. Grimes
appears regularly on the BBC main news, BBC News 24 and BBC World Service
news commenting on nuclear energy. During the Fukushima incident (2011) he
also appeared on CNN, Sky News, ABC, and Al Jazeera. Lee appeared on BBC
Radio 5 Live's Phil Williams Show (2008) phone-in as an expert on nuclear
power, BBC Radio 4 You and Yours on geological disposal of radwaste (2010)
and BBC World Service Science in Action about the Fukushima cleanup
(2013).
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00zm31w/Material_World_24_03_2011/
(Archived at https://www.imperial.ac.uk/ref/webarchive/bwf)
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b016ljj2
(Archived at https://www.imperial.ac.uk/ref/webarchive/9vf)
http://news.sky.com/story/842579/fukushima-fallout-next-few-days-critical
(Archived at https://www.imperial.ac.uk/ref/webarchive/8vf)
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/29/japan.nuclear.leaks/index.html
(Archived at https://www.imperial.ac.uk/ref/webarchive/52f)
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2011/s3167108.htm
(Archived at https://www.imperial.ac.uk/ref/webarchive/jlf)