Emily Swain-Phipps
Emily Michie
Key Associate
Dr. Emily Michie has degrees in Materials Science and Engineering (MEng Hons) and Atomistic simulations of radioactive tolerant materials (PhD) from Imperial College London. Emily is a Member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and has five years research experience in solid state chemistry and physics and in the development and application of computational solutions. Emily’s work has so far comprised safety assessment, waste characterisation and optioneering for a variety of UK and overseas clients. Recent experience includes:
ONDRAF/NIRAS. Developed a Human Intrusion Assessment model designed to conduct screening calculations, compliance calculations, and to assess the radiological impact of proposed disposal facilities. Designed and developed databases of Features, Events and Processes (FEPs) that provide a transparent and traceable list of relevant FEPs underpinning the safety assessment. Supported the reporting of cementitious near-field models.
Environment Agency. Contributed to evaluation of UK radioactive graphite wastes and their potential treatment and disposal options. Supported a project re-assessing values for the generic calculations of radiological capacity for landfill sites accepting solid low-level radioactive wastes.
Magnox North. Supported the Hunterston A solid ILW strategic review viability assessment for on-site disposal, including on compilation of radiological input data, decay calculations, and the assessment of human intrusion scenarios. Contributed to the development of a computational model to predict the future site-wide active liquid effluent inventory at Chapelcross.
NDA. Developed a statistical analysis tool “Inspection and Monitoring of Packages in Stores” (IMPS) using VBA, to facilitate the implementation of a generic statistical methodology for determining appropriate Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) package monitoring and inspection strategies by store operators.
Prior to joining GSL, Emily completed her PhD research which focused on understanding the ability of calcium phosphate minerals to contain radionuclides and other waste elements using atomic-scale computer modelling. Both quantum mechanical and classical approaches were used to model material structure. The research required expertise and knowledge in the structures of different host materials for radioactive waste applications, and analysis of large data sets. Part of her work has subsequently been published in the Journal of Solid State Chemistry.
For her final-year MEng project, Emily worked on developing a novel means of processing phosphate ceramic-glass composites as a potential host material for radioactive wastes. The optimum values of parameters important to hot-pressing, such as temperature and ratio of glass to ceramic, were determined and published.