Professor of welding technology joins Dalton Nuclear Institute

02 May 2013

The University of Manchester’s Dalton Nuclear Institute has appointed Mike Smith as its new research professor in the field of nuclear manufacture technology.

Professor Smith will be joining the Institute with more than 30 years experience as a structural integrity expert in industry, having dealt with structures as diverse as telecommunications satellites and nuclear reactors.  His primary research interests are weld residual stresses and their impact on materials ageing and structural integrity. 

Professor Smith started his career working on the structural dynamics and defect tolerance of space vehicles, before moving to the other end of the component size spectrum to work on the structural integrity of nuclear reactors within the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) and its successor companies. He was most recently employed at EDF Energy.

Professor Smith has made important contributions to the development of the R5 (high temperature) and R6 (low temperature) structural integrity assessment procedures; to the development of safety cases for continued reactor operation; and to the solution of major structural integrity issues on operating nuclear plant in the UK.

As Professor of Welding Technology at the Dalton Nuclear Institute Professor Smith will be building on this experience. His initial work will involve developing new research programmes in welding technology, linked into the New Nuclear Manufacturing (NNUMAN) programme, including weld simulation and weld performance. He will also play a key role in developing new nuclear education and providing input into the EDF Modelling and Simulation Centre.

Professor Smith said: “I am very excited by the prospect of adding my experience to Manchester’s leading edge facilities and research record, and helping to make Manchester the UK’s centre of excellence in weld structural performance”.

Professor Andrew Sherry, Director of the Dalton Nuclear Institute, said: “I am delighted to have Professor Smith join us and strengthen our academic team. With the importance of advanced gas-cooled reactor life extension, current plans for new nuclear build in the UK and the recent publication of the Government’s Nuclear Industrial Strategy, this is a key time to focus on nuclear engineering and manufacturing. Mike will be a great addition to the Institute with his expertise in weld modelling and performance and his wider industry knowledge.”

Professor Smith will start at the University on May 7.