معرفی
Peter Burns is the Dorini Family Professor of Energy Studies and Henry J. Massman Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences at the University of Notre Dame, with a concurrent appointment in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. He leads a major research program in actinide chemistry and materials science, and has directed multiple federally funded centers including the Energy Frontier Research Center (Materials Science of Actinides) and the Center for Sustainable Energy.
- Dorini Family Professor of Energy Studies (2025–present)
- Henry J. Massman Professor (2009–2024)
- Concurrent Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry (2007–present)
- Director, Center for Sustainable Energy (2014–2024)
- Special Term Appointment, Argonne National Laboratory (2002–present)
Education:
- Ph.D. in Geology, University of Manitoba (1994)
- M.Sc. in Geology, University of Western Ontario (1990)
- B.Sc. in Geology with Honours, University of New Brunswick (1988)
His research focuses on the solid-state and environmental chemistry of actinides—particularly uranium, neptunium, and plutonium—with applications in nuclear energy, waste management, and national security. He studies the structural hierarchies of actinide compounds, nanoscale uranyl peroxide clusters, and the behavior of actinides under extreme conditions. His group synthesizes and characterizes novel actinide materials using advanced diffraction and spectroscopic techniques.
His recent publications (2021–2025) reveal a sustained focus on actinide cluster chemistry, radiation effects, coordination polymers, and thermodynamics. Themes include the synthesis of uranyl peroxide nanoclusters, radiation stability of thorium-based materials, and the structural chemistry of neptunium across oxidation states. His work bridges inorganic chemistry, materials science, and geochemistry, with strong implications for nuclear forensics and environmental remediation.
Scientific Awards:
- Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2023)
- Peacock Medal, Mineralogical Association of Canada (2016)
- Mineralogical Society of America Award and Life Fellow (2001)
- Donath Medal, Geological Society of America (1999)
- Young Scientist Medal, Mineralogical Association of Canada (1998)
- Hawley Medal, Mineralogical Association of Canada (1997)
Burns has advised over 40 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom now hold positions at national laboratories, universities, and research institutions worldwide. His group has received significant grant funding from the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration. He maintains a state-of-the-art actinide laboratory equipped with glove boxes, fume hoods, X-ray diffractometers, calorimeters, and spectroscopic tools.
The Burns Research Group operates within the Actinide Laboratories in Stinson-Remick Hall, shared with the Hixon group, fostering a collaborative environment for students and faculty. The lab is NRC-approved for transuranic element research and includes extensive instrumentation for synthesis and characterization. The group also engages in international collaborations and fieldwork, including educational programs such as a summer systems-based exploration of energy sustainability in Nepal.
