Jonas Narvaez Arrua is a Researcher affiliated with Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) as part of the NRGroup. His R&D activities span from 2016 to the present, focusing on advanced nuclear technologies including fuel performance modeling, Gen IV reactors (e.g., Molten Salt Reactors, Lead-Cooled Fast Reactors), and neutronics/thermal fluid dynamics under projects like SAMOSAFER. He holds two conflicting PhD degrees: one in 2015 titled *'Improvement of the control-oriented modelling of the Gen-IV lead-cooled fast reactor'* and another in 2018 titled *'Modelling and assessment of inert gas behaviour in UO2 nuclear fuel for transient analysis.'* His MSc degrees were completed in 2013 and 2011. Research interests emphasize fuel behavior analysis, reduced-order modeling techniques, and safety assessments for next-generation reactors. His work bridges theoretical modeling with practical applications in nuclear energy systems. No scientific awards or published articles are explicitly listed in the provided text. Current roles include R&D contributions at NRGroup and research assistantship at POLIMI.
Andrea Cioncolini is a Professor specializing in Nuclear Engineering with a PhD earned in 2005. His doctoral research focused on Single and Two-Phase Flow Experimental Thermal-Hydraulics in Helically Coiled Pipes , followed by employment at Westinghouse (USA). He actively supervises graduate research within the Nuclear Reactor Group (NRG), mentoring students in advanced reactor technologies. His research spans critical nuclear engineering domains: Thermal-hydraulic behavior in complex reactor geometries Design and simulation of circulating-fuel reactor systems (CFRs) Gen IV Fast Reactor safety and performance analysis Risk-informed methodologies for nuclear plant operations Professor Cioncolini's advisees have produced significant work on circulating-fuel reactor simulation tools, void reactivity in fast reactors, and evacuation protocol optimization. Their research collectively advances next-generation nuclear safety and efficiency. Key students include: Matteo Zanetti (PhD 2016, MSc 2012) Rasha Ghazy (PhD 2013, MSc 2008) Andrea Maioli (PhD 2007, MSc 2003) He maintains active supervision within the NRG framework, guiding innovations in reactor physics and safety engineering through thesis advising and collaborative research initiatives.
Professor Roddy Vann leads research in theoretical and experimental plasma physics at the University of York's York Plasma Institute. As Fusion CDT Programme Director, he specializes in magnetically-confined fusion plasmas with emphasis on microwave heating, wave-particle interactions, and turbulence modeling for tokamak reactors. Research areas: Full-wave simulations of microwave-plasma interactions Synthetic aperture microwave imaging (MAST-U tokamak) 3-D magnetic field configurations for ITER Wave-particle resonant interactions BOUT++ framework for plasma turbulence Professor Vann has supervised 4 PhD students and co-supervised 4 others on projects spanning microwave diagnostics, turbulence simulations, and fast particle confinement. His group develops computational models to optimize heating efficiency in spherical tokamaks like STEP.
Dr. Edward Brightman is a Senior Lecturer in Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, part of the Faculty of Engineering. His research focuses on electrochemical engineering for energy storage and conversion, with a particular emphasis on hydrogen fuel cells, redox flow batteries, and biomass valorisation. He leads a laboratory equipped with advanced electrochemical testing facilities, including PEM fuel cell test stations, potentiostats, and microscopy tools. His work aims to develop innovative diagnostic techniques to improve device durability and scalability, with industry collaborations to drive practical applications. Research interests include embedded sensors for PEM devices, novel biomass-fuelled hydrogen production systems, and metal oxide-based electrochemical capacitors. Dr. Brightman has received the Best Presentation Prize (Hydrogen Theme) at the ETP Annual Conference 2022. He supervises PhD students in projects like the optimization of lithium polysulfide flow batteries and sustainable energy storage solutions. Current projects include the ReSTOR initiative for recyclable flow batteries and collaborations with industry partners such as Enocell Ltd. His technical expertise spans electrochemical analysis, flow battery design, and material characterization, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) and industry innovation (SDG 9). Professional activities include organizing the 78th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry and speaking at international conferences on sustainable chemistry and energy systems.
Dr. Qi Zhang is an EMBLAus(PLN) Group Leader in Cancer Epigenetics at the South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, University of Adelaide. His research focuses on epigenetic regulation mechanisms, particularly chromatin-modifying complexes in cancer biology, with a translational goal of developing novel therapies. He integrates biochemistry, structural biology, genomics, and bioinformatics. His recent work spans advanced battery technologies, including zinc-ion and solid-state batteries, emphasizing electrochemical energy storage and photocatalytic plastic upcycling. He is eligible to supervise PhD and Master’s students and holds affiliations with the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. Education: Not explicitly listed in provided texts. Affiliations: South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, University of Adelaide. Research interests bridge cancer epigenetics and energy storage, with publications addressing chromatin regulation, battery materials science, and sustainable electrochemical systems. His lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to address translational challenges in healthcare and renewable energy. Recent articles explore novel battery chemistries, photocatalytic waste conversion, and electrolyte optimization strategies. Grants and awards are not detailed in the provided data. His work has been published in high-impact journals like Advanced Materials and Energy & Environmental Science .
Jingyu Lin is a Professor at the Whitacre College of Engineering, Texas Tech University, holding the Linda F. Whitacre Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering and serving as Co-Director of the Nano-Photonics Center. PhD in Physics, Syracuse University (1989) MS in Physics, Syracuse University (1985) BS in Physics, SUNY-College at Oneonta (1983) Her research focuses on semiconductors, photonics, and optoelectronics, particularly III-nitride materials like AlN, GaN, and h-BN. Key applications include radiation sensors, solid-state lighting, and energy-conversion devices. The 15 most recent articles highlight advancements in hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) quasi-bulk crystal growth, neutron detector development, and optical gain material optimization. Subfields span doping techniques, wide bandgap properties, crystal anisotropy, and device transport mechanisms. Scientific Awards National Academy of Inventors Fellow (2018) American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow (2016) SPIE Fellow (2015) Optica Fellow (2014) American Physical Society Fellow (2010) Lin leads the Nano-Photonics Center, contributing to semiconductor neutron detectors and MOCVD growth methods. Her work bridges fundamental material science and advanced device applications.
Tom Huiskamp is an Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), specializing in high-voltage pulsed power technology for transient plasma generation. His research focuses on environmental applications such as air purification and sustainable alternatives to pesticides in agriculture through plasma-activated water. He is affiliated with the Electrical Energy Systems research group and the High Tech Systems Center, with external collaborations at institutions like the University of Southern California and Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science. MSc and PhD in Electrical Engineering from TU/e (cum laude, 2011 and 2015) Postdoctoral researcher at TU/e (2015-2016), later appointed as Assistant Professor Visiting Scientist at INP Greifswald (2016), Research Associate at USC (2017-2018) His work spans nanosecond pulsed power circuits, CO2 plasma technology, and programmable high-voltage systems. The 15 most recent publications highlight advancements in solid-state Marx generators, plasma diagnostics for NOx removal, industrial emission control, and CO2 dissociation for future fuels. These align with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly environmental protection and sustainable agriculture. Notable scientific awards include the NWO Veni Prize (2018), Hidde Nijland Prize (2024), NWO Vidi Prize (2024), and the Kenneth J. Germeshausen Award (2024). He has led projects like "Plasma for Plants" and "Making plasma-assisted combustion efficient" and teaches courses on high-voltage and pulsed power technology. NWO Veni Prize: Flexible, Fast High-Voltage Pulses for a Better Environment (2018) NWO Vidi Prize: High-Voltage on the Rocks (2024) Hidde Nijland Prize: Scientific Excellence (2024) Kenneth J. Germeshausen Award: Career Achievement (2024) Tom actively contributes to conferences and organizing events like the HAKONE XVII symposium. His research integrates theoretical and experimental approaches, emphasizing real-time diagnostics, impedance matching, and sustainable applications.
Tobias Wright is an EPSRC Research Fellow at the University of Manchester , specializing in nuclear data measurements critical for advanced nuclear technologies . He holds a PhD in Nuclear Physics (2014) and an MPhys in Physics (2010) from the University of Sheffield. Research Interests: Measurement of neutron-induced reaction cross-sections ( capture, fission, elastic/inelastic scattering ) at international facilities like: CERN n_TOF ILL High-Flux Reactor NPL Van de Graaff Accelerator His work supports nuclear reactor design , astrophysical modeling (s-process nucleosynthesis), and radiation protection , aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goal for Clean Energy . Key methodological contributions include detector development (e.g., segmented total energy detectors, multi-section fission chambers) and high-resolution spectroscopy . Teaching: Course leader for Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics and former lecturer for Nuclear Physics , Applied Nuclear Physics , and Radiation Protection at the University of Chester (2020-2022). Supervises undergraduate and postgraduate students in nuclear physics projects. Scientific Achievements: EPSRC Fellowship (2022) Manager, UK Nuclear Data Network (2019) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2022)
Yann BULTEL is a University Professor at Grenoble Polytechnic Institute (Grenoble INP), serving as Deputy Director of the Laboratory of Electrochemistry and Physicochemistry of Materials and Interfaces (LEPMI) and a lecturer at the National School of Energy, Water and the Environment (Ense3). His research focuses on energy storage and conversion systems, including fuel cells and advanced battery technologies. He holds a Habilitation to Supervise Research (2004) and a PhD in Process Engineering (1997, INPG). His teaching includes Process Engineering, Electrochemical Engineering, and Energy Conversion and Storage. Research interests span electrochemical system optimization, multi-scale modeling (e.g., PEMFCs and battery electrodes), and degradation mechanisms in energy storage systems. He has supervised 12 PhD theses, 19 Master’s theses, and 6 technological research projects. His scientific output includes 79 peer-reviewed articles, 1 book chapter, and over 100 conference presentations. His work addresses critical challenges in battery aging, fuel cell durability, and innovative diagnostic methodologies. Key contributions include advancements in PEM fuel cell modeling, lithium-ion battery diagnostics, and the integration of multiphysics approaches for system optimization. Ongoing research explores second-life battery applications, anode defect propagation in fuel cells, and electrochemical modeling for energy efficiency.
Andreas Enqvist is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Florida, College of Engineering, where he leads the Enqvist Research Group (LOKE). The group is part of the Nuclear Engineering Program and actively contributes to national and international efforts in nuclear nonproliferation, safeguards, and radiation detection. They are members of the US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Consortium for Monitoring, Technology, and Verification (NA-22) and collaborate with NASA on planetary protection research. Their research focuses on the detection and modeling of neutron and gamma-ray signatures from nuclear materials, particularly fresh and spent nuclear fuel. Key areas include nondestructive assay, neutron spectroscopy, detector development (especially He-4 scintillators), data fusion with vision systems, and simulation using tools like MCNPX-PoliMi and SCALE. The group conducts experiments at the University of Florida Training Reactor (UFTR) and the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC). The recent publications (2020–2025) reflect a strong emphasis on optimizing detector configurations, neutron scatter cameras, pulse shape discrimination using machine learning, dry cask monitoring, and advanced data fusion techniques. There is a clear trend toward integrating physics-based models with AI/ML methods and developing compact, field-deployable systems for nuclear security applications. Member, NNSA NA-22 Consortium for Monitoring, Technology, and Verification Collaborator, NASA Planetary Protection Research Program Principal Investigator, NEUP-funded projects The group mentors several students and researchers, including Cat, Brice, Sai, Jaylen, Nuo, and Joseph. They have secured funding from NNSA and DOE for projects related to nuclear safeguards, verification technologies, and training reactor applications. Their work bridges fundamental nuclear physics with practical engineering solutions for global security and space exploration. The Enqvist Research Group operates within the University of Florida’s Nuclear Engineering infrastructure, utilizing the UF Training Reactor and advanced simulation capabilities. They collaborate with national laboratories and other university teams within the NNSA consortium, forming a key part of a larger network dedicated to advancing nuclear monitoring technologies.
Tayfun Akyürek is an Associate Professor at Istanbul Technical University's Energy Institute , specializing in nuclear engineering and reactor technology. His work focuses on burnup analysis, neutronics, and radiation detection. Institution: Istanbul Technical University, Energy Institute Academic Rank: Associate Professor Research Interests: Burnup analysis in nuclear fuel elements Neutronic parameter comparisons for reactors (VVER-1200, PWR) Gamma-ray and Geiger-Muller detector dead-time phenomena Delayed neutron applications in fuel characterization Reactor design and safety Recent Publications highlight trends in nuclear fuel diagnostics, detector efficiency optimization, and reactor core physics, with collaborations across international institutions. 2024: Burnup analysis of TRIGA reactor fuel 2024: Neutronic comparisons for advanced reactor designs 2021: Dead-time determination methods and delayed neutron indicators 2020: GM detector performance under varying voltages Scientific Awards: Başarı Ödülü (2017) Yayın Teşvik Award (2017, 2019, 2019, 2021) Grants and Projects: Currently leading a TUBITAK -funded project (2023-2025) titled Experimental Reconfiguration Method for Nuclear Research Reactor Core .
Dr. Axel Funke serves as Team Leader and Principal Investigator for the Pyrolysis group at the Institute of Catalysis Research and Technology (IKFT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany. His work drives the bioliq ® project's biomass-to-liquid fuels initiative through fast pyrolysis technology development since 2013. Education: Energy and Process Engineering at Technische Universität Berlin (Germany) Energy and Process Engineering at Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm, Sweden) Research Interests: Specializing in engineering wet/dry thermochemical biomass conversion systems, Dr. Funke's work advances auger reactor design, heat transfer in moving particle beds, and condensation systems for pyrolysis applications. His biochar research draws from 'terra preta do indio' principles to enhance soil carbon sequestration and waste valorization. Scientific Awards: PhD scholarship from the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) Project Leadership: As Task Leader for IEA Bioenergy Task 34 (2019-2021), he directed global research on direct thermochemical liquefaction. He currently leads KIT's work package in alProWa (2018-present) for thermochemical process water valorization and manages the BRISK 2 EU consortium (2017-present), serving on its Executive Committee board.
Nobuyuki Iwamoto is a Professor (non-tenure-track) at the Faculty of Science and Engineering , Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering , Waseda University. His work focuses on nuclear data evaluation, neutron capture reactions, and photonuclear studies, with significant contributions to JENDL-5 development and transmutation system design. Key affiliations: Waseda University (Faculty of Science and Engineering), J-PARC MLF (Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility) Education: PhD in Science from Tohoku University (2000) Research spans Nuclear Engineering , Neutron Physics , and Photonuclear Reactions , emphasizing experimental cross-section measurements and theoretical modeling. Recent projects include: High-accuracy $^{129}$I and $^{241}$Am neutron capture data Gamma-ray polarization studies in nuclear reactions IAEA Photonuclear Data Library contributions His 15 most recent articles (2017-2025) highlight advancements in neutron capture for nuclear waste transmutation, photonuclear data for heavy elements, and machine learning applications in nuclear data. Key trends include: Integration of experimental DDX (Double Differential Cross-section) data Improvements in resonance parameter analysis Development of JENDL/PD-2016 and JENDL-5 libraries Scientific recognition includes: 2025 Science and Technology Award (Development Division), MEXT 2024 Japan Atomic Energy Society Technical Prize Multiple Director's Awards from Japan Atomic Energy Agency Most Cited Article Award (2017) He contributes to international collaborations like OECD NEA WPEC and CIELO, advancing neutron cross-section evaluations for critical applications in nuclear energy and astrophysics.
Nicolo Tuccori is a Research Fellow in the Experimental Particle Physics (EPP) group within the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the University of Sussex, a position he has held since September 2023. His research primarily focuses on LiquidO opaque scintillator technology and its applications in neutrino physics and nuclear reactor monitoring. Dr. Tuccori completed his PhD at the University of Sussex between 2019 and 2023, following prior research experience at the Università degli Studi di Padova in Italy where he earned his Master's degree in Physics. His academic journey includes international research collaborations, including work at Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, Portugal through an Erasmus scholarship. His research interests center on experimental particle physics with a specialization in scintillator detector development. Dr. Tuccori's work spans neutrino detection using opaque scintillator technology, nuclear reactor monitoring through anti-neutrino detection, and the optimization of scintillator-based X-ray detectors for medical imaging applications. His research bridges fundamental physics with practical applications in nuclear safeguards and medical technology. Dr. Tuccori is actively involved in presenting his research at international conferences, with recent presentations focusing on muon detection with opaque scintillator prototypes and advancements in scintillator-based imaging systems. His work on the AM-OTech innovation project represents a significant application of particle physics for nuclear reactor monitoring. As an educator, Dr. Tuccori serves as a doctoral tutor for undergraduate physics courses at Sussex, including Physics Year 1 Laboratory and core theoretical courses. He holds an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy certification, demonstrating his commitment to teaching excellence. His research network includes collaborations with international institutions involved in the LiquidO technology development and the AM-OTech project, with fieldwork conducted at locations including Chooz, France. Dr. Tuccori's work exemplifies the intersection of experimental particle physics, detector development, and practical applications in nuclear monitoring and medical imaging.
