Nuclear Physics Consolidated Grant
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
The atomic nucleus, which forms the tiny massive core at the centre of the atom, is composed of protons and neutrons and each of these particles are themselves comprised of quarks. However, this knowledge does not allow us to make a complete prediction of the behaviour of any given nucleus or isotope. The system is too complex, involving three of the four fundamental forces: the electromagnetic, weak and strong nuclear forces. The behaviour of the nucleus is often described as an emergent phenomenon as it cannot be readily predicted from its component parts. This drives theoretical effort and the need to benchmark theory with precision measurements.
Our research is aimed at studying the funadamental properties of atomic nuclei, the origin of elements in the cosmos and applications of nuclear technology. We study nuclei on the very limits of stability, in particular those with an excess of protons, and those which have the same number of protons and neutrons (N=Z nuclei). The N=Z nuclei exhibit special symmetries and deviations from these symmetries tell us very detailed information on the validity of competing nuclear models. Such measurements are very challenging as these nuclei are very difficult to produce in any quantity to perform experiments on. Our programme uses some of the principal facilities for nuclear physics worldwide where such exotic nuclei can be produced. Our work involves studies of how protons and neutrons interact in N=Z nuclei and to what extent the clustering of nucleons (eg into alpha particles) occurs in such nuclei. In our work we aim to addess specific questions related to nuclei residing in three of these regions, (i) N=Z nuclei around mass 70, (ii) deformed nuclei around mass 150 and (iii) nuclei around the neutron deficient lead region, where one of the best examples of nuclear shape co-existence has been observed to date at very low excitation energy. A further aspect of our research into the structure of nuclei concerns their shape. It is a remarkable property of the nucleus that it can adopt different shapes: spherical, oblate (smartie-shaped) and prolate (rugby-ball shaped) often for a small costs in energy. Predicting the shape of a nucleus and how this shape evolves as the nucleus is excited (given more energy) is extremely challenging from a theoretical perspective. Determining nuclear shape experimentally can help to discriminate between competing models of the nucleus and pin down our theoretical understanding. Nuclear structure effects relating to nuclear shapes and the phenomenon of shape co-existence are found in many regions of the chart of the nuclides.
A third strand of our research is into the origin of the chemical elements in stars, and the role played by nuclear physics in this question. Some elements and isotopes are only produced in very hot and exotic events such as exploding stars: novae and supernovae. In these events, a rapid series of nuclear reactions takes place. We seek to understand how rapidly such reactions take place by reproducing them in the laboratory. This is very challenging as many of the nuclei involved in these studies are themselves radioactive and difficult to produce. Nevertheless, we are able to advance our understanding of how the chemical elements are created. The final area of research is into the mechanisms of nuclear fission, with emphasis on exploring how these develop in nuclei that reside away from the well known transactinide region of nuclei which can undergo induced fisson or in the case of the heaviest nuclei even spontaneous fission following their creation. Our data on these new regions of fission, such as in the light mercury isotopes around mass 180, are presenting challenges to the present models of the nuclear fission process. Our proposed work in this area will provide new data on extremely exotic nuclei to help develop the models of the fission process further.
Our research is aimed at studying the funadamental properties of atomic nuclei, the origin of elements in the cosmos and applications of nuclear technology. We study nuclei on the very limits of stability, in particular those with an excess of protons, and those which have the same number of protons and neutrons (N=Z nuclei). The N=Z nuclei exhibit special symmetries and deviations from these symmetries tell us very detailed information on the validity of competing nuclear models. Such measurements are very challenging as these nuclei are very difficult to produce in any quantity to perform experiments on. Our programme uses some of the principal facilities for nuclear physics worldwide where such exotic nuclei can be produced. Our work involves studies of how protons and neutrons interact in N=Z nuclei and to what extent the clustering of nucleons (eg into alpha particles) occurs in such nuclei. In our work we aim to addess specific questions related to nuclei residing in three of these regions, (i) N=Z nuclei around mass 70, (ii) deformed nuclei around mass 150 and (iii) nuclei around the neutron deficient lead region, where one of the best examples of nuclear shape co-existence has been observed to date at very low excitation energy. A further aspect of our research into the structure of nuclei concerns their shape. It is a remarkable property of the nucleus that it can adopt different shapes: spherical, oblate (smartie-shaped) and prolate (rugby-ball shaped) often for a small costs in energy. Predicting the shape of a nucleus and how this shape evolves as the nucleus is excited (given more energy) is extremely challenging from a theoretical perspective. Determining nuclear shape experimentally can help to discriminate between competing models of the nucleus and pin down our theoretical understanding. Nuclear structure effects relating to nuclear shapes and the phenomenon of shape co-existence are found in many regions of the chart of the nuclides.
A third strand of our research is into the origin of the chemical elements in stars, and the role played by nuclear physics in this question. Some elements and isotopes are only produced in very hot and exotic events such as exploding stars: novae and supernovae. In these events, a rapid series of nuclear reactions takes place. We seek to understand how rapidly such reactions take place by reproducing them in the laboratory. This is very challenging as many of the nuclei involved in these studies are themselves radioactive and difficult to produce. Nevertheless, we are able to advance our understanding of how the chemical elements are created. The final area of research is into the mechanisms of nuclear fission, with emphasis on exploring how these develop in nuclei that reside away from the well known transactinide region of nuclei which can undergo induced fisson or in the case of the heaviest nuclei even spontaneous fission following their creation. Our data on these new regions of fission, such as in the light mercury isotopes around mass 180, are presenting challenges to the present models of the nuclear fission process. Our proposed work in this area will provide new data on extremely exotic nuclei to help develop the models of the fission process further.
Planned Impact
- Our group is very active in public engagement with a particular focus on continuous professional development for schoolteachers but also the wider public:
- We provide CPD for schoolteachers as part of collaborations with the Science Learning Centre network and the Prince's Teaching Trust. We have interacted with several hundred schoolteachers over the last three years.
- We reach out to the wider public through major public lectures, as well as to local groups such as local astronomy societies
- We foster participation by our PDRAs and postgraduate students in our outreach work
- Our group is active in more applied areas of research which benefit from a cross-fertilisation of ideas with our blue skies research. This includes:
- Work on obtaining neutron-induced cross-sections on actinide nuclei at the nToF facility as part of an EPSRC-funded fission consortium
- We are working on areas connected to medical imaging such as PET/MRI through links with collaborators such as the York Neuroimaging Centre
- we are working with CCFE Culham to make neutron cross-section measurements on materials relevant to future fusion reactors
- we have started to work with companies such as Kromek and NUVIA UK on detector development projects for use in various applications
- We are always on the lookout for ways in which our research can lead to societal benefit such as through knowledge exchange related to our state-of-the-art detector developments
- High quality training is given to PDRAs and postgraduate students, who take this with them to subsequent careers in the nuclear-related industries and the wider economy. Radiation detection and measurement and the abilities to handle large volumes of complex data and perform high quality simulations are important to many key industries and these skillsets will be in increasing demand with the present plans for a new nuclear build.
- We provide CPD for schoolteachers as part of collaborations with the Science Learning Centre network and the Prince's Teaching Trust. We have interacted with several hundred schoolteachers over the last three years.
- We reach out to the wider public through major public lectures, as well as to local groups such as local astronomy societies
- We foster participation by our PDRAs and postgraduate students in our outreach work
- Our group is active in more applied areas of research which benefit from a cross-fertilisation of ideas with our blue skies research. This includes:
- Work on obtaining neutron-induced cross-sections on actinide nuclei at the nToF facility as part of an EPSRC-funded fission consortium
- We are working on areas connected to medical imaging such as PET/MRI through links with collaborators such as the York Neuroimaging Centre
- we are working with CCFE Culham to make neutron cross-section measurements on materials relevant to future fusion reactors
- we have started to work with companies such as Kromek and NUVIA UK on detector development projects for use in various applications
- We are always on the lookout for ways in which our research can lead to societal benefit such as through knowledge exchange related to our state-of-the-art detector developments
- High quality training is given to PDRAs and postgraduate students, who take this with them to subsequent careers in the nuclear-related industries and the wider economy. Radiation detection and measurement and the abilities to handle large volumes of complex data and perform high quality simulations are important to many key industries and these skillsets will be in increasing demand with the present plans for a new nuclear build.
Organisations
- University of York (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Manchester (Collaboration)
- Comenius University in Bratislava (Collaboration)
- University of Surrey (Collaboration)
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON (Collaboration)
- Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) (Collaboration)
- University of Jyväskylä (Collaboration)
- Daresbury Laboratory (Collaboration)
- European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) (Collaboration)
- Michigan State University (Collaboration)
- University of Lyon (Collaboration)
- University of Warsaw (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL (Collaboration)
- University of Leuven (Collaboration)
Publications
Adsley P
(2017)
a clustering in Si 28 probed through the identification of high-lying 0 + states
in Physical Review C
Adsley P
(2017)
CAKE: the coincidence array for K600 experiments
in Journal of Instrumentation
Adsley P
(2021)
Isoscalar monopole and dipole transitions in Mg 24 , Mg 26 , and Si 28
in Physical Review C
Akers C
(2016)
Measurement of radiative proton capture on F 18 and implications for oxygen-neon novae reexamined
in Physical Review C
Albers M
(2015)
Erratum: Evidence for a Smooth Onset of Deformation in the Neutron-Rich Kr Isotopes [Phys. Rev. Lett. 108 , 062701 (2012)]
in Physical Review Letters
Albers M
(2016)
Corrigendum to: "Shape dynamics in neutron-rich Kr isotopes: Coulomb excitation of 92Kr, 94Kr and 96Kr" [Nucl. Phys. A 899 (2013) 1-28]
in Nuclear Physics A
Alexander T
(2015)
Isomeric Ratios in $^{206}$Hg
in Acta Physica Polonica B
Andel B
(2017)
Detailed a -decay study of Tl 180
in Physical Review C
Andel B
(2016)
Short-lived isomers in Po 192 and Po 194
in Physical Review C
Andel B
(2020)
ß -delayed fission of isomers in Bi 188
in Physical Review C
Andreyev A
(2014)
a decay of Au 176
in Physical Review C
Andreyev AN
(2018)
Nuclear fission: a review of experimental advances and phenomenology.
in Reports on progress in physics. Physical Society (Great Britain)
Baczyk P
(2017)
Mirror and Triplet Displacement Energies Within Nuclear DFT: Numerical Stability
in Acta Physica Polonica B
Baczyk P
(2015)
Strong-interaction Isospin-symmetry Breaking Within the Density Functional Theory
in Acta Physica Polonica B Proceedings Supplement
Baczyk P
(2018)
Isospin-symmetry breaking in masses of N?Z nuclei
in Physics Letters B
Baczyk P
(2019)
Isobaric multiplet mass equation within nuclear density functional theory
in Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics
Baroni S
(2018)
A teaching guide of nuclear physics: the concept of bonds
in Physics Education
Barzakh A
(2017)
Changes in mean-squared charge radii and magnetic moments of Tl 179 - 184 measured by in-source laser spectroscopy
in Physical Review C
Barzakh A
(2020)
Shape coexistence in Au 187 studied by laser spectroscopy
in Physical Review C
Barzakh A
(2020)
Hyperfine anomaly in gold and magnetic moments of I p = 11 / 2 - gold isomers
in Physical Review C
Becker P
(2017)
Solution of Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov equations and fitting procedure using the N2LO Skyrme pseudopotential in spherical symmetry
in Physical Review C
Becker P
(2015)
Tools for incorporating a D-wave contribution in Skyrme energy density functionals
in Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics
Becker P
(2018)
Skyrme N2LO Pseudo-potential for Calculations of Properties of Atomic Nuclei
in Acta Physica Polonica B
Benamara S
(2014)
Nucleosynthesis of Al 26 in massive stars: New Al 27 states above a and neutron emission thresholds
in Physical Review C
Benamara S
(2016)
Study of the 26 Al(n,p) 26 Mg and 26 Al(n,a) 23 Na reactions using the 27 Al(p,p') 27 Al inelastic scattering reaction
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Benito J
(2020)
Detailed spectroscopy of doubly magic Sn 132
in Physical Review C
Bennaceur K
(2017)
Nonlocal energy density functionals for pairing and beyond-mean-field calculations
in Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics
Bentley M
(2015)
Isospin-breaking interactions studied through mirror energy differences
in Physical Review C
Berry T
(2019)
Investigation of the ?n = 0 selection rule in Gamow-Teller transitions: The ß-decay of 207Hg
in Physics Letters B
Berry T
(2020)
Octupole states in Tl 207 studied through ß decay
in Physical Review C
Boso A
(2019)
Isospin dependence of electromagnetic transition strengths among an isobaric triplet
in Physics Letters B
Boso A
(2018)
Neutron Skin Effects in Mirror Energy Differences: The Case of ^{23}Mg-^{23}Na.
in Physical review letters
Boso A
(2017)
Isospin Symmetry Breaking in Mirror Nuclei $^{23}$Mg--$^{23}$Na
in Acta Physica Polonica B
Boulay F
(2018)
Measurement of 19 Ne spectroscopic properties via a new method of inelastic scattering to study novae
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Braunroth T
(2015)
Reduced transition strengths of low-lying yrast states in chromium isotopes in the vicinity of N = 40
in Physical Review C
Bree N
(2014)
Shape coexistence in the neutron-deficient even-even (182-188)Hg isotopes studied via coulomb excitation.
in Physical review letters
C Van Beveren
(2016)
a -decay study of ${}^{\mathrm{182,184}}$Tl
in Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics
Carroll RJ
(2020)
Competition between Allowed and First-Forbidden ß Decay: The Case of ^{208}Hg?^{208}Tl.
in Physical review letters
Catford W
(2015)
Structure of $^{26}$Na via a Novel Technique Using ($d,p\gamma $) with a Radioactive $^{25}$Na Beam
in Acta Physica Polonica B
Cederwall B
(2020)
Isospin Properties of Nuclear Pair Correlations from the Level Structure of the Self-Conjugate Nucleus Ru 88
in Physical Review Letters
Chamel N
(2015)
Brussels--Montreal Nuclear Energy Density Functionals, from Atomic Masses to Neutron Stars
in Acta Physica Polonica B
Clément E
(2014)
Onset of collectivity in 96,98 Sr studied via Coulomb excitation
in EPJ Web of Conferences
Connolly D
(2018)
Direct measurement of resonance strengths in S 34 ( a , ? ) Ar 38 at astrophysically relevant energies using the DRAGON recoil separator
in Physical Review C
Courtin S
(2017)
Experimental investigations of the sub-Coulomb 12 C+ 12 C and 12 C+ 16 O reactions
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Courtin S
(2017)
How well do we understand the reaction rate of C burning?
in EPJ Web of Conferences
Crawford H
(2022)
Core of F 25 studied by the F 25 ( - p ) proton-removal reaction
in Physical Review C
Crawford HL
(2019)
First Spectroscopy of the Near Drip-line Nucleus ^{40}Mg.
in Physical review letters
Cruz S
(2018)
Shape coexistence and mixing of low-lying 0+ states in 96Sr
in Physics Letters B
Cruz S
(2020)
Single-particle structure in neutron-rich Sr isotopes approaching the N = 60 shape transition
in Physical Review C
Cruz S
(2019)
Single-particle structure of neutron-rich Sr isotopes via H 2 ( Sr 94 , 95 , 96 , p ) reactions
in Physical Review C
| Description | This grant contained three key research themes, which includes studies of nuclear structure related to nuclei with roughly equal numbers of protons (Z) and neutrons (N), nuclear astrophysics with particular emphasis on nuclear reactions that are important to a variety of different astrophysical processes and fundamental nuclear fission studies, which involves the breakup of very heavy nuclei into two new nuclear fragments. In nuclear astrophysics a key feature of our research is our close collaboration with leading international astrophysics groups, to ensure that our work is focused on measurements with the highest impact for the international community. (This is particularly facilitated through the group's leading role in the NuGrid collaboration (www.nugridstars.org, for largescale nucleosynthesis studies) and the BRIDGCE UK network (www.bridgce.net, a multidisciplinary network for Galactic Chemical Evolution). Through this, we maintain active links with astrophysicists across Europe, North America and Australia.) We have made significant progress in our understanding of galactic sodium production and the astrophysical gamma-emitter, 26-Aluminium, as well as and in mechanisms for astrophysical destruction of 18-Fluorine. We have furthermore pioneered alpha-capture studies of p-process nuclei through alpha capture on 76-Selenium, the first such study in this mass region. Key results in nuclear structure around the N=Z and proton-drip lines have been obtained. The proton-drip line is reached when it is no longer possible to bind an extra proton to an existing nucleus to yield a new nucleus that is stable for a measurable time. The results obtained include a detailed study of the decay of the heaviest known beta-decaying isomeric state in the N=Z nucleus 96-Cadmium. Our results reveal the importance of core excited configurations (i.e., protons and neutrons excited across the N=Z=50 proton and neutron shell gaps) in the structure of the isomeric state. This result reveals that the isomeric state is not composed entirely of spin-aligned (i.e., deuteron-like) proton and neutron pairs, a structural feature which has been predicted to be important in low-spin states in even-even N=Z nuclei in the mass 90 region. Further work on this nucleus has provided the first evidence for the energy level sequence of the excited states following the identification of a new gamma decaying isomer and its subsequent decay sequence. In this case, the identified sequence of gamma rays associated with the decay of the low-lying energy levels reveals a level scheme that is consistent with a significant contribution from spin-aligned protons and neutrons, but further work is required to measure other properties of the gamma rays and the energy levels to confirm this. Another key finding relates to the study of nuclei with opposite numbers of protons and neutrons (ie mirror nuclei). Our most recent work on another N=Z nucleus, 88Ru, which was performed with the AGATA germanium array and the new Neutron array (NEDA - partially funded via this grant), provides further circumstantial evidence, via the observation of the delayed rotational alignment of pairs of g9/2 neutrons and protons at intermediate spins, for the presence of strong isoscalar neutron-proton pair correlations. The isospin symmetry of the nuclear force results in near-identical behaviour between nuclei with opposite numbers of neutron and protons that reside on different sides of the N=Z line in the Segre nuclear chart. Our work in such nuclei has demonstrated the need to include, in addition to the normal Coulomb term which is well known to break isospin symmetry, an isospin non-conserving (INC) term in the shell-model nuclear interaction for which the matrix elements have a strong dependence with the coupled angular momentum. The physical origin of this INC term is not understood. Our work in the N~Z mass 66-74 region has established that an INC isotensor interaction of similar strength to that required in the lighter mass 40-54 region is needed to account for discrepancies between shell model calculations and experimental data, but it appears that the magnitude of the isoscalar INC interaction required in the heavier region is significantly larger and of opposite sign to that needed in the lighter mass region - a feature that is not understood at all. The ultimate goal is to understand the fundamental origin of the isospin non-conserving interaction. Beyond the proton-dripline our studies have revealed the existence of a "nuclear sand-bank" where the nucleus 72-Rubidium is found to exist for a very small, but measurable time whilst 73-Rubidium does not. Our new results imply that 72-Krypton is a strong waiting point nucleus in x-ray burst rp-process scenarios in stellar environments. For our fundamental nuclear fission studies we concentrated on extensive studies of exotic process of beta-delayed fission at ISOLDE and transfer-induced fission at the JAEA tandem. The bdf process (together with spontaneous and neutrron-induced fission) is believed to be crucially important for the so-called fission termination of r-process of nucleosynthesis and for the production of the heaviest elements in the Universe. Beta-delayed fission allows to access fission of nuclei which do not fission spontaneously, furthermore it also provides fission data at low excitation energies, which are difficult to get by other means. In particular, a new region of asymmetric fission was discovered in our experiments at ISOLDE, centered around very neutron-deficient isotopes 178,180Hg. Several experimental papers have been published, which caused extensive interest from fission theory community and strong collaboration links arose. We were invited to write a comprehensive review on "Progress in Experimental Fission Studies", which was completed in the last year and published in high-ranking journal Reports on Progress in Physics. From fission experiments at JAEA, a PRL paper on effects of multichance fission in heavy nuclei was published, which discussed its importance for future generation of fast nuclear reactors and ADS technique. In shape coexistence studies, we successfully performed measurements of charge radii and electromagnetic moments for several long chains of isotopes - gold, mercury, thallium and astatine. They showed a number of unique features present only in this region of neutron-deficient nuclides in the vicinity of the closed shell at Z=82. Also here, extensive collaboration with the theory colleagues was established, including also the York's theory group. A paper in Nature Physics was published which solved a long-standing question on the shape staggering in the lightest Hg isotopes. |
| Exploitation Route | Several papers have been published as a result of this grant. These can be used by both the academic (and non-academic communities where appropriate) to further research in nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics. Some of the results from the nuclear astrophysics and structure work will impact on astrophysics modelling for various types of explosive stellar processes. The knowledge gained will also impact on education via training of teachers and the many outreach activities carried out by members of the group. Detector developments made for the nuclear structure research part of the programme covered by this grant have impacted on developments from our nuclear technology laboratory, which operates in conjunction with companies such as KROMEK that use radiation detectors for various applications. |
| Sectors | Education |
| Description | Educating the public on issues related to nuclear structure/ nuclear astrophysics. Our research on fission at JAEA, resulting in a paper in PRL, was related to the so-called 'multichance fission' phenomenon, which will become important for the future generation of 'fast' reactors and ADS technique for transmutation of radioactive waste. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
| Sector | Education,Energy |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | Nuclear Physics Consolidated Grant |
| Amount | £20,800 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ST/L005735/1 |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2014 |
| End | 03/2015 |
| Description | Nuclear Physics Consolidated Grant |
| Amount | £1,686,429 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ST/P003885/1 |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2017 |
| End | 09/2021 |
| Description | STFC Consolidated grant |
| Amount | £1,446,999 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ST/L005727/1 |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2014 |
| End | 09/2018 |
| Description | AGATA collaboration |
| Organisation | Daresbury Laboratory |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Work was carried out to simulate the performance of the AGATA demonstrator array for use with relativistic beams at GSI. Codes were developed and are currently stored at Daresbury laboratory under the supervision of Dr M Labiche. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborators from various countries involved with the AGATA spectrometer have contributed to the development work of the simulation codes. The spectrometer itself is funded by many different European countries, including the UK. |
| Impact | Outcomes have been achieved by other research groups in the UK associated with the AGATA grants, notably Dr A Boston from the University of Liverpool and the nuclear physics team at the Daresbury laboratory. The work involved in developing the detectors used for AGATA and the processing of the signals has had impact on development of radiation detection methods in medical physics. |
| Description | AGATA collaboration |
| Organisation | University of Brighton |
| Department | Arts and Humanities |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Work was carried out to simulate the performance of the AGATA demonstrator array for use with relativistic beams at GSI. Codes were developed and are currently stored at Daresbury laboratory under the supervision of Dr M Labiche. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborators from various countries involved with the AGATA spectrometer have contributed to the development work of the simulation codes. The spectrometer itself is funded by many different European countries, including the UK. |
| Impact | Outcomes have been achieved by other research groups in the UK associated with the AGATA grants, notably Dr A Boston from the University of Liverpool and the nuclear physics team at the Daresbury laboratory. The work involved in developing the detectors used for AGATA and the processing of the signals has had impact on development of radiation detection methods in medical physics. |
| Description | AGATA collaboration |
| Organisation | University of Liverpool |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Work was carried out to simulate the performance of the AGATA demonstrator array for use with relativistic beams at GSI. Codes were developed and are currently stored at Daresbury laboratory under the supervision of Dr M Labiche. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborators from various countries involved with the AGATA spectrometer have contributed to the development work of the simulation codes. The spectrometer itself is funded by many different European countries, including the UK. |
| Impact | Outcomes have been achieved by other research groups in the UK associated with the AGATA grants, notably Dr A Boston from the University of Liverpool and the nuclear physics team at the Daresbury laboratory. The work involved in developing the detectors used for AGATA and the processing of the signals has had impact on development of radiation detection methods in medical physics. |
| Description | AGATA collaboration |
| Organisation | University of Manchester |
| Department | Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Work was carried out to simulate the performance of the AGATA demonstrator array for use with relativistic beams at GSI. Codes were developed and are currently stored at Daresbury laboratory under the supervision of Dr M Labiche. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborators from various countries involved with the AGATA spectrometer have contributed to the development work of the simulation codes. The spectrometer itself is funded by many different European countries, including the UK. |
| Impact | Outcomes have been achieved by other research groups in the UK associated with the AGATA grants, notably Dr A Boston from the University of Liverpool and the nuclear physics team at the Daresbury laboratory. The work involved in developing the detectors used for AGATA and the processing of the signals has had impact on development of radiation detection methods in medical physics. |
| Description | AGATA collaboration |
| Organisation | University of Surrey |
| Department | Section of Chronobiology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | Work was carried out to simulate the performance of the AGATA demonstrator array for use with relativistic beams at GSI. Codes were developed and are currently stored at Daresbury laboratory under the supervision of Dr M Labiche. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborators from various countries involved with the AGATA spectrometer have contributed to the development work of the simulation codes. The spectrometer itself is funded by many different European countries, including the UK. |
| Impact | Outcomes have been achieved by other research groups in the UK associated with the AGATA grants, notably Dr A Boston from the University of Liverpool and the nuclear physics team at the Daresbury laboratory. The work involved in developing the detectors used for AGATA and the processing of the signals has had impact on development of radiation detection methods in medical physics. |
| Description | FiDiPro |
| Organisation | University of Jyvaskyla |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | Finland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Long-term scientific collaboration and publications |
| Collaborator Contribution | Long-term scientific collaboration and publications |
| Impact | 10.1103/PhysRevC.97.024306, 10.1088/1361-6471/aa691e, 10.1088/1361-6471/aa5fd7, 10.1016/j.cpc.2017.03.007 |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | JAEA collaboration |
| Organisation | Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) |
| Country | Japan |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | I am the 'Invited Head of the Research Group for Heavy Elements Science', advising the Japanese colleagues on the research. I am also an active participants in the experiments at JAEA, including leading my own experiments there. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The group at JAEA performs a range of experiments on fission, nuclear chemistry, N=Z nuclei. Theory development is a large part of the local group work. |
| Impact | Several joint publications have been published. New detection developments were carried our. |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | JYFL p-rich collaboration |
| Organisation | University of Jyvaskyla |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | Finland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This has become a well-developed scientific collaboration between the University of York and the University of Jyvaskyla cyclotron laboratory. This specific collaboration has grown out of the STFC-funded work on proton-rich nuclei. The University of York has contributed, to this collaboration, staff effort (students, post-doctoral effort and technical effort), scientific proposals (requests for beam time based on UoY science), academic expertise in a number of science areas and equipment (e.g. the UoY Tube veto detector, other charged-particle detectors etc). |
| Collaborator Contribution | Colleagues at Jyvaskyla contribute staff effort (technical and post-doctoral effort), electronics and mechanical infrastructure and general laboratory infrastructure. Crucially, the laboratory gives us access to beam time based on scientific merit. The in-kind contribution estimate of £1M in this entry comes from a very rough, and conservative, estimate of beam time costs for the programme to date. |
| Impact | Many scientific papers and several PhD thesis. See publication list. |
| Description | Lyon Claud Bernard |
| Organisation | University of Lyon |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Long-term scientific collaboration and publications |
| Collaborator Contribution | Long-term scientific collaboration and publications |
| Impact | 10.1088/1361-6471/aa691e, 10.1088/1361-6471/aa5fd7 |
| Description | MSU Nazarewicz |
| Organisation | Michigan State University |
| Department | Department of Physics And Astronomy |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Long-term collaboration and publications |
| Collaborator Contribution | Long-term collaboration and publications |
| Impact | 10.5506/APhysPolB.46.575 |
| Description | NEDA array |
| Organisation | National Institute for Nuclear Physics |
| Department | Legnaro National Laboratories |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Studies related to the development of a new neutron array (NEDA) for use with high intensity stable beam and radioactive beam studies, in particular investigations of new readout devices for both solid and liquid scintillator neutron detectors. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Testing, design and charactersiation of new detectors for the new NEDA array. |
| Impact | Design of a full array has been performed. An interim design for a first phase of development of the new array is in the final stages of completion. Publications on monte carlo studies of the NEDA neutron detectors (in Nucl Instr. and Meth A,673, p 64 and a forthcoming publication on neutron-gamma discrimination tests with different photomultipliers (to be published in Nucl Instr. and Meth A767, p83, Dec 14) |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | WINDMILL Collaboration at ISOLDE(CERN) |
| Organisation | Comenius University in Bratislava |
| Country | Slovakia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Since the start of the collaboration (~2000), I am the spokesperson of most of the experiments. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a large international collaboration, each partner plays their own role, either the detectors's development, or/and data analysis, participation in the experiments, their interpretation and final publishing of papers and presentation of the data at different conferences. |
| Impact | Many joint publications have been published. Joint development of detectors and their maintenance is carried our by the collaboration partners. |
| Description | WINDMILL Collaboration at ISOLDE(CERN) |
| Organisation | European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) |
| Department | CERN - ISOLDE |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Since the start of the collaboration (~2000), I am the spokesperson of most of the experiments. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a large international collaboration, each partner plays their own role, either the detectors's development, or/and data analysis, participation in the experiments, their interpretation and final publishing of papers and presentation of the data at different conferences. |
| Impact | Many joint publications have been published. Joint development of detectors and their maintenance is carried our by the collaboration partners. |
| Description | WINDMILL Collaboration at ISOLDE(CERN) |
| Organisation | Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) |
| Country | Japan |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Since the start of the collaboration (~2000), I am the spokesperson of most of the experiments. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a large international collaboration, each partner plays their own role, either the detectors's development, or/and data analysis, participation in the experiments, their interpretation and final publishing of papers and presentation of the data at different conferences. |
| Impact | Many joint publications have been published. Joint development of detectors and their maintenance is carried our by the collaboration partners. |
| Description | WINDMILL Collaboration at ISOLDE(CERN) |
| Organisation | University of Leuven |
| Department | Institute for Nuclear and Radiation Physics |
| Country | Belgium |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Since the start of the collaboration (~2000), I am the spokesperson of most of the experiments. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a large international collaboration, each partner plays their own role, either the detectors's development, or/and data analysis, participation in the experiments, their interpretation and final publishing of papers and presentation of the data at different conferences. |
| Impact | Many joint publications have been published. Joint development of detectors and their maintenance is carried our by the collaboration partners. |
| Description | Warsaw IFT |
| Organisation | University of Warsaw |
| Country | Poland |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Long-term scientific collaboration and publications |
| Collaborator Contribution | Long-term scientific collaboration and publications |
| Impact | 10.1103/PhysRevC.94.024306, 10.1016/j.cpc.2017.03.007, 10.5506/APhysPolB.48.259, 10.1016/j.physletb.2017.12.068 |
| Description | Afternoon public exhibition with mini workshops |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Engagement with mini workshops including binding energy, scattering, proton treatment, and baryon structure. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Binding Blocks - University visits and widening participation 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | University visits and widening participation (~700 participants): Physics 50th Anniversary (~100 participants, Jan 2016); York College visit (~30, Mar 2016); Widening Participation event (~20, Mar 2016); University Open Days (~250, June 2016); Schools Physicists of the Year Awards (~200, June 2016); Widening Participation (~50, July 2016); Girls in Physics (12 participants, Aug 2016); Physics Review Anniversary (~100, Oct 2016). Most of the visits were dominated by students in secondary schools. For each of the schools events, (part of) a Binding Blocks nuclear (Segre) chart was built by the participants, while undergraduate students, postgraduate researchers, and/or academics discuss foundational nuclear physics principles (including constituents of nuclei, decay and energy) in conjunction with cutting edge research across fundamental nuclear physics and nuclear astrophysics, as well as nuclear applications and nuclear medicine. The school students were very engaged in the activity, and reported learning of - and inspiration towards engaging further with - nuclear physics. Undergraduate and Postgraduate students (taking part in) delivering the events reported a greater confidence in communicating this area of physics. Visiting professionals, including those from the industry, showed a strong interest in the concepts, and a number of these participants requested further information for future engagement in the programme. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Binding Blocks Public Events 2015 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Public event 2015 (~5,000 participants): European Researchers' Night - YorNight (5000+, Sep 2015). A Binding Blocks nuclear (Segre) chart was built by the participants, while undergraduate students, postgraduate researchers, and academics discuss foundational nuclear physics principles (including constituents of nuclei, decay and energy) in conjunction with cutting edge research across fundamental nuclear physics and nuclear astrophysics, as well as nuclear applications and nuclear medicine. The members of the public were very engaged in the activity, and both children and adults alike showed a great interest in the underlying physics and applications. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Binding Blocks Public Events 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Public events 2016 (~10,000 participants): Regional Big Bang Fair (2000+, Doncaster, June 2016); Family Fringe Day (1000+, June 2016); Three Minutes to Midnight (~200, June 2016); STFC Science Up Close Open Day (7000+ people, Daresbury Laboratory, July 2016); iThemba LABS Open Day (~150, Cape Town, South Africa, Sep 2016); Nuclear Science Day (~40, University of Guelph, Canada, Oct 2016). For each of the public events, a Binding Blocks nuclear (Segre) chart was built by the participants, while undergraduate students, postgraduate researchers, and academics discuss foundational nuclear physics principles (including constituents of nuclei, decay and energy) in conjunction with cutting edge research across fundamental nuclear physics and nuclear astrophysics, as well as nuclear applications and nuclear medicine. The members of the public were very engaged in the activity, and both children and adults alike showed a great interest in the underlying physics and applications. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Binding Blocks Schools Events 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Schools events 2016 (~160 participants): Star Gazing, St Peter's School, York (~100, Jan 2016); Huntington School (~20, Mar 2016); Queen Ethelburga's School (~20, Mar 2016); Morsø Gymnasium, Denmark (~25, Dec 2016). For each of the schools events, (part of) a Binding Blocks nuclear (Segre) chart was built by the participants, while undergraduate students, postgraduate researchers, and/or academics discuss foundational nuclear physics principles (including constituents of nuclei, decay and energy) in conjunction with cutting edge research across fundamental nuclear physics and nuclear astrophysics, as well as nuclear applications and nuclear medicine. The school students were very engaged in the activity, and reported learning of - and inspiration towards engaging further with - nuclear physics. The sessions were furthermore integrated into the curriculum as an integral part of the students' learning of the material. Undergraduate and Postgraduate students (taking part in) delivering the events reported a greater confidence in communicating this area of physics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Binding Blocks Student and Academic Promotion and Training 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Student and Academic promotion and training 2016 (~700 students and academics): Department of Physics student-training day (~40 participants, May 2016). Institute of Physics Nuclear Physics Conference (~120, Liverpool, Apr 2016), Geometric Models of Nuclear Matter (~40, Canterbury, Sep 2016), International Nuclear Physics Conference (~400, Adelaide, Australia, Sep 2016), NUSTAR Week (~100, York, Sep 2016). Student-training day (Hull University, Nov 2016). Participation in conferences has yielded an international engagement in the Binding Blocks programme, with overseas funding currently being sought by collaborators and several public events already run overseas. Student training has developed the local UK team and thereby facilitated the numerous external events delivered subsequently. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Binding Blocks Teacher Training 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Teacher Training Events organised jointly with the National STEM Learning Centre 2016 (~130 teachers and technicians): Full science programme for CERN Teachers Day (~50, NSLC, June 2016) and workshop at York Physics Day (~20, NSLC, June 2016). Contributions to three other courses at NSLC (June 2016): New and Aspiring Primary Science Specialists (~25); Wakefield Academy Group Course (~15); and School Technicians Course (~20). For each of the training events, a 7 metre Binding Blocks nuclear (Segre) chart was wither built by the participants or engaged with, while undergraduate students, postgraduate researchers, academics, and/or learning specialists discuss the foundational nuclear physics principles (including constituents of nuclei, decay and energy) in conjunction with cutting edge research across fundamental nuclear physics and nuclear astrophysics, as well as nuclear applications and nuclear medicine. The school teachers were very engaged in the activity, and developed ideas for integration into the physics curriculum (as well as mathematics and chemistry) at both GCSE and A-level. Undergraduate and Postgraduate students (taking part in) delivering the events reported a greater confidence in communicating this area of physics. Staff members at the NSLC were furthermore impacted by the scale of the display, and organisers (at NSLC) reported a general buzz among staff members as a result of this. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Binding Blocks Training Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Training event for undergraduates, postgraduates, and researchers from across the UK, for implementation of Binding Blocks Nuclear Masterclasses and other Public Engagement events across the UK. Primary content designed and delivered by the York Nuclear Physics Group, and with additional mini-workshops by participating Nuclear Physics groups from across the UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Binding Blocks Training at the ANSTT Workshop, iThemba LABS, South Africa |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Training event for undergraduates, postgraduates, and researchers from across Southern Africa, for triggering the implementation of Binding Blocks Nuclear Masterclasses and other Public Engagement events across Southern Africa, in particular South Africa, Botswana, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Content designed and delivered by the York Nuclear Physics Group. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Binding Blocks Website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Binding Blocks website (developed 2016). This includes event tracking and embedded twitter feed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/bindingblocks/ |
| Description | Binding Blocks Youtube Channel |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Development of video material available on the Binding Blocks YouTube channel. These videos include: Binding Blocks Promotional Video; Binding Blocks Introduction; Tour of the Stable Isotopes; Path to Stability; Fragmentation: Ni58 to Co-52; and Isotopic abundance simulation this NuGrid. Apart from the impact on schools, students, teachers, collaborators, and the public, requests for further participation includes contact from Channel4 producer Wall-to-Wall, resulting in contributions to the Child-Genius 2017 show, to be screened in 2017. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvIXlFgJyGh4Jle_4_KE2aA |
| Description | British Science Festival (Hull) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | At least 500 members of the public engaged with the Binding Blocks Nuclear Astrophysics stand at the British Science Festival in Hull, 2018. Delivery led by the astrophysics group at U. of Hull, with contributions from the Binding Blocks programme at York. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | CERN Teacher Training at the National STEM Learning Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Development and delivery of full content for a day of training in Nuclear Physics as a post-CERN-visit training programme for secondary and primary school teachers in Physics and broader sciences. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | CERN Teachers Day at the National STEM Learning Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Training and inspiring of 40 teachers from across the UK, with direct input into their teaching, and strong links to the York research programme. Full content designed and delivered by the York Nuclear Physics Group. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Exhibition for conference participants at the International Nuclear Physics conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Engagement with conference participants, display of Binding Blocks programme and invitations to join the programme and utilise the BB material. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Festival of Ideas |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Public event presenting nuclear physics research through a Binding Blocks interactive installation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Head Start activity (York) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Nuclear Physics workshops with a focus on widening participation |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | INPC Public Exhibition, Glasgow 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Public Exhibition as part of the International Nuclear Physics Conference 2019, Glasgow. Exhibition open in conjunction with evening talk which attracted more than 1000 participants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Inspirations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Schools event for approximately 1000 secondary school students and their teachers. Engagement with Nuclear Physics and research through the Binding Blocks nuclear chart. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Isaac Physics Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Nuclear physics workshop as part of an extended engagement throughout the year across all areas of physics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Jim Matthews Public Lecture, York |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Public Lecture with associated Binding Blocks nuclear chart event, ~300 participants. Lecture delivered by Jim Al-Khalili, Surrey. Binding Blocks event delivery by York team. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Making Stars: Fusion |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Educational material (lesson plans) for integration of nuclear fusion and nuclear astrophysics into the school curriculum. The teaching resource is directed towards secondary school teachers, in particular A-level Physics. The material is published on the STEM CPD Resource network and will be used in conjunction with a video featuring Dr Kim Cave-Aland, a control engineer at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE). Quotes from the material include: "When you tell people you make stars for a living, their heads turn and their mouths open." "Fusion takes place in the centre of stars across the universe. The Making stars resource contains curriculum linked activities on nuclear fusion, binding energy, radioactivity and the hot CNO cycle in stars. The CNO cycle is the predominant fusion process in stars larger than the Sun. The main activity involves students in the classroom mapping out a real-time hot CNO fusion cycle on the classroom floor." Available online 13th March 2017. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.stem.org.uk/rx6zw6 |
| Description | Nuclear Masterclass (Birmingham, 2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Year-12 student Nuclear Masterclass at University of Birmingham, delivered as their first exposure to Nuclear Physics after their GCSEs. Workshops included: Binding Blocks (nuclear masses, decays, and reactions). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Nuclear Masterclass (Daresbury, 2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Year-12 student Nuclear Masterclass at Daresbury Laboratory, delivered as their first exposure to Nuclear Physics after their GCSEs. Workshops included: Binding Blocks (nuclear masses, decays, and reactions). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Nuclear Masterclass (Surrey, 2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Year-12 student Nuclear Masterclass at University of Surrey, delivered as their first exposure to Nuclear Physics after their GCSEs. Workshops included: Binding Blocks (nuclear masses, decays, and reactions). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Nuclear Masterclass (York, 2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Year-12 student Nuclear Masterclass at University of York, delivered as their first exposure to Nuclear Physics after their GCSEs. Workshops included: Binding Blocks (nuclear masses, decays, and reactions); the Hot-CNO Cycle in X-ray bursters (and research on breakout from the cycle); Binding Energy and Neutron Stars (including both neutron star mergers and the d* discovery); Nuclear Medicine (comparison between X-ray and proton-beam radiation treatment); as well as Nuclear Fusion (plasma control at MAST, JET and ITER, as well as nuclear reactions in fusion facilities). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Nuclear Masterclass 19.06.18 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Year-12 student Nuclear Masterclass at York, with workshops on: Binding Blocks (nuclear masses, decays, and reactions); the Hot-CNO Cycle; Binding Energy and Neutron Stars; Nuclear Medicine; and Nuclear Fusion. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Nuclear Masterclass 21.06.18 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Year-12 student Nuclear Masterclass at York, with workshops on: Binding Blocks (nuclear masses, decays, and reactions); the Hot-CNO Cycle; Binding Energy and Neutron Stars; Nuclear Medicine; and Nuclear Fusion. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Nuclear Physics Masterclass 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Nuclear Physics MasterClass 2017. This was a one-day outreach programme which gave year-12 students the opportunity to find out more about cutting-edge research in Nuclear Physics and applications of nuclear technologies. The Masterclass was open to all students studying A level Physics (or equivalent). There were two parallel strands of activity. Strand A: Nuclear Astrophysics Workshop 1: The Hot CNO Cycle in Supernovae: Discover the nuclear reactions happening in stars during stellar explosions in an activity demonstrating half-lives and the random nature of radioactive decay. Workshop 2: Neutron Stars and Fundamental Forces: Investigate a computer simulation of the liquid drop model of neutron stars and learn about the influence of the fundamental forces at the nuclear scale. Workshop 3/4: Binding Blocks: Building the Universe one Nucleaus at a Time Explore the concept and applications of binding energy through building a LEGO nuclear chart. Follow nuclear decay chains and research the uses of different isotopes. Strand B: Workshop 1: Advanced gamma detection for nuclear experiments and applications: Utilise advanced gamma detectors to analyse energy spectra and identify unknown sources and materials. Workshop 2: Fusion technology: Visit the University's Tokomak Control Room and find out about methods of creating nuclear fusion as a power source. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/nuclear-masterclass/ |
| Description | SAINTS Post-graduate School |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Training event for undergraduates, postgraduates, and researchers from South Africa, for implementation of Binding Blocks Nuclear Masterclasses and other Public Engagement events across South Africa. Primary content designed by the York Nuclear Physics Group, delivered by students trained at York during 2018. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | SAINTS Post-graduate School, Public Engagement training |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Training event for undergraduates, postgraduates, and researchers from South Africa, for implementation of Binding Blocks Nuclear Masterclasses and other Public Engagement events across South Africa. Primary content designed by the York Nuclear Physics Group, and delivered by students trained at York during 2018-2019. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | SFTC Nuclear Physics School (St Andrews, 2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Public Engagement training for UK post-graduate students in nuclear physics including Binding Blocks workshops and independent development of PE ideas. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Scarborough Science and Engineering Week |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Schools event for at least 500 secondary school students and their teachers. Engagement with Nuclear Physics and research through the Binding Blocks nuclear chart. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Stargazing Live |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Public event covering a range of astronomy and astrophysics, nuclear astrophysics, and nuclear physics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Stargazing Live |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Public event covering a range of astronomy and astrophysics, nuclear astrophysics, and nuclear physics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Student Exhibition at BIUST, Botswana |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Nuclear Physics Binding Blocks exhibition at BIUST, Botswana. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Teacher training at NSLC: CERN Follow-up |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Binding Blocks Nuclear Masterclass for teachers. Teacher training across the Nuclear Masterclass programme at University of York, where workshops included: Binding Blocks (nuclear masses, decays, and reactions); the Hot-CNO Cycle in X-ray bursters (and research on breakout from the cycle); Binding Energy and Neutron Stars (including both neutron star mergers and the d* discovery); Nuclear Medicine (comparison between X-ray and proton-beam radiation treatment); Nuclear Scattering (seeing the unseen); as well as introduction to "The Stuff Stars are Made Of", primary school book written by Dr. A. Tuff. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Teacher training at NSLC: Inspiring A-level |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Programme included Binding Blocks Nuclear Masterclass for teachers, where workshops included: Binding Blocks (nuclear masses, decays, and reactions); Particle Physics and the d* discovery; Nuclear Scattering (seeing the unseen); as well as introduction to "The Stuff Stars are Made Of", primary school book written by Dr. A. Tuff. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Teacher training at NSLC: Primary Science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | NY071a19 Primary Science: Leading primary science in 2020. Introducing primary-school teachers to "The Stuff Stars are Made Of", a primary school book written by Dr. A. Tuff, and initiation of a Binding Blocks programme to lend these textbooks to primary schools across the UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Teacher training at the Glasgow STEM centre: Binding Blocks Masterclass |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Binding Blocks Nuclear Masterclass for teachers. Teacher training across the Nuclear Masterclass programme at University of York, where workshops included: Binding Blocks (nuclear masses, decays, and reactions); Nuclear Scattering (seeing the unseen); as well as trialling of an online framework for studying nuclear reactions in stars. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Training of post-graduate Students from University of Western Cape |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Training event for undergraduates, postgraduates, and researchers from University of Western Cape, for implementation of Binding Blocks Nuclear Masterclasses and other Public Engagement events in South Africa. Content designed and delivered by the York Nuclear Physics Group. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Training of post-graduate Students from University of Zululand |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Training event for undergraduates, postgraduates, and researchers from University of Zululand (SA), for implementation of Binding Blocks Nuclear Masterclasses and other Public Engagement events in South Africa. Content designed and delivered by the York Nuclear Physics Group. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |
| Description | Work experience activity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Nuclear Physics workshops with a focus on widening participation |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/secondary/binding-blocks/ |