Incorporation in Solid Phases

Group information

Dr. Nina Huittinen is leading the group as part of the Surface Processes department, currently consisting of five female early career- and senior scientists. As our name implies, we focus on research related to the structure and properties of solid phases containing radionuclides (RNs). On the one hand, we are interested in crystalline inorganic solid phases of relevance in the various stages of the nuclear fuel cycle or envisioned waste management technologies. On the other hand, we investigate materials from nuclear power plants in the context of their safe decommissioning.

As part of the AcE project, Dr. Sara Gilson is investigating the influence of ionizing radiation on the structure and performance of monazites and zirconates containing actinides or their inactive surrogates from the lanthanide series. Radiation damage studies are mainly conducted using external heavy ion irradiation at varying fluences, to induce damage to the crystalline ceramics. A combination of surface sensitive techniques is thereafter applied to understand changes occurring in the microstructure of the materials, the redox chemistry of the dopant and host cations in the crystal structure, and the dissolution properties of the ceramic material. M.Sc. Luiza Braga Ferreira dos Santos is investigating the incorporation of tetravalent actinides and Ce(IV) in zirconia, as part of her Ph.D. thesis. Combining diffraction experiments with various spectroscopic investigations, actinide solubility limits, phase transformations, and local structural order/disorder phenomena can be addressed. A more detailed overview of the Ph.D. project can be found here.

As part of the Emprado and Werreba projects, Dr. Astrid Barkleit is investigating and supervising work related to the safe decommissioning of nuclear power plants (NPPs). The work involves experimental validation and verification of performed calculations related to the formation and activity distribution of activation products in the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) components and the surrounding concrete shield. The latter component is investigated in more detail as part of a Ph.D. project by M.Sc. Quirina Roode-Gutzmer. One particular research focus is related to the enhanced reactivity of radiation-damaged concrete constituents, such as quartz and feldspars. Understanding radiation-induced structural damage in concrete is not only necessary for assessing the structural safety of the concrete during extended NPP operation but is also an important consideration in the development of processing solutions for dismantling and disposal of radioactive concrete waste.

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Head
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Dr. Nina Maria Huittinen	801/P218	2148	n.huittinenhzdr.de
Employees
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Dr. Astrid Barkleit	801/P207	3136 2512 2518	a.barkleithzdr.de
Luiza Braga Ferreira dos Santos	801/P254	3487	l.bragahzdr.de

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Running projects

• AcE
• Emprado
• Werreba

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Selected Publications

2020

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2019

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2018

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2017

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2016

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