Logan Barr Email & Phone Number

Canada

Ontario, Canada

Tokai Mura, Japan

Working on two separate projects over two sites is an organisational challenge that has granted me the opportunity to expand my skill set by working in a new field, while also continuing to develop my existing skills in the field of radiation chemistry.Radionuclide sorption to repository barrier materials:Using the PHREEQC modelling software in combination with experimental studies to determine Kd values for the sorption of radionuclides (thorium and niobium) to natural and engineered barrier materials (illite, montmorillonite).Working directly towards the improvement of an important safety case gives the work context and a real sense of achievement. • Use of PHREEQC to model sorption for comparison with experimental data• Handling radionuclides in a radiation controlled environment• Results published in academic journals and reported to the JAEARadiation stability of polymeric waste storage containers:Designing and performing experiments to determine the loss of integrity of polyethylene containers employed in the decontamination of water following the Fukushima accident in 2011. Testing the effects of the specific waste conditions (pH and solid slurry composition) on the formation of water radiolysis products and the resulting effect on the degradation of the polymer.• Careful planning of Co-60 source utilization• Modelling of water radiolysis using FACSIMILE software• Reporting results at national and international conferences

Whitehaven

Conducting research into the effects of radiation on polymeric materials intended for use in a geological repository.My project was essentially divided into three parts; synthesis/characterisation of polymer samples, irradiation in different aquatic environments, analysis of polymer degradation and changes to the aqueous phase.I was fortunate to report the results of my work at a number of national and international conferences. I enjoy delivering oral reports of my work and fielding questions and this allowed me to hone my skills whilst also receiving valuable input from more experienced researchers.As part of the radiation research group at the newly opened Dalton Cumbrian Facility my PhD included a number of unique challenges and opportunities. During the furnishing of the labs I received training in the use of an extensive array of instruments and was required to become sufficiently familiar to pass on the training to guest users of the facility and new PhD students.

Radiochemical analysis method development: Developing and optimising methods for the simultaneous determination of tritium and Carbon-14 activities in a range of matrices. Attended the tritium users group meeting 2010.

Mchem, Chemistry

Activities and Societies: Karate, Chemistry outreach Received the Manchester Success Scholarship, Spent a year in the nuclear industry

Master Of Chemistry, Chemistry