Nuclear with Royce at the University of Sheffield

Welcome to Royce at the University of Sheffield, one of the leading partners for the UK's national institute for advanced materials research and innovation; The Henry Royce Institute.

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Welcome to Royce at the University of Sheffield ...

... where the frontiers of nuclear fission and fusion research converge to redefine possibilities.

As a leading hub for advanced materials science and engineering, Royce at the University of Sheffield provides an unparalleled platform for businesses dedicated to advancing nuclear technologies.

Our world-class facilities, including cutting-edge laboratories and simulation capabilities, provide researchers and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to improve the efficiency, safety, and viability of both fission and fusion reactors.

Through collaborative partnerships with academic leaders, industry innovators and governmental agencies, we have convened a community focused on accelerating the development and deployment of next-generation nuclear technologies.

Whether you're pioneering new reactor designs, optimising materials for extreme environments, or exploring fusion as a clean energy source, Royce at the University of Sheffield is your partner of choice in the drive for a sustainable and prosperous energy landscape.

Case Studies

Nuclear AMRC Component Made on the Hot Isostatic Press HIP

Powder and Hot Isostatic Processing for designer metallic structures

The application of Hot Isostatic Pressing together with specialised encapsulation of metal powders to develop novel near net shapes offers increasing potential to arena of near net shape manufacturing.

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Image of Nuclear Power Plant

Contributing Towards Nuclear Waste Management

Radiological Hot Isostatic Pressing at The University of Sheffield: A case study by the NucleUS Immobilisation Science Laboratory into the Management of the UK Plutonium Inventory.

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Cannisters for containing nuclear waste

Nuclear Waste Containers: Does the Surface Finish Matter?

3D Optical Profilometry has been utilised by the NucleUS team to evaluate the surface finish of stainless samples and determine roughness parameters to assess the suitability of materials for nuclear waste disposal.

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Horizontal Sample Surface

Brazing of Additively Manufactured Materials: Investigating the Fundamentals

Understanding how the intrinsic aspects of a metal additive manufactured (AM) component, such as the non-equilibrium microstructure and rough surface finish, influence the brazing process.

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Key Equipment

Nuclear AMRC Engineer working on the Hot Isostatic Press HIP

Hot and Cold Isostatic Pressing

In powder metallurgy, Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) allows us to compress a volume of metal powder at such high temperatures and pressures, that through a combination of deformation, creep, and diffusion, you actually create a product with an homogenous annealed microstructure (compact solid) with minimal or no impurities in the materials.
Our Cold Isostatic Press (CIP) is used to shape form powders into a green body, prior to sintering. This model allows the pressing of various shapes, including discs, bars, and tubes, and is therefore a near-net-shape process.

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FAST

Field Assisted Sintering Technology or Spark Plasma Sintering

Field Assisted Sintering Technology/Spark Plasma Sintering (FAST/SPS) uses a DC electric current to directly heat the mould and/or sample through Joule heating. This direct heating allows high heating rates and low processing cycle times to be achieved. Lower temperatures and mould pressures are also typical compared to conventional hot pressing and sintering techniques.

FAST/SPS offers new possibilities to manufacture numerous materials with potentially extraordinary characteristics. The Type HP D 250/C Furnace is ideal to investigate the scale-up of FAST/SPS for industrial applications.

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