Welcome to the

Cambridge

Nuclear Energy Centre

Professors, doctors and students outside the CNEC
 

A cross-discipline collaboration

Cambridge has a long history of unlocking the secrets of the nucleus and in the past significant discoveries were made at the Cavendish Laboratory. Implementing nuclear energy systems today is a multi-faceted activity and involves many departments of the University (Physics, Engineering, Earth Sciences, Materials Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Judge Business School). In addition to coordinating nuclear research and teaching across the University, the Cambridge Nuclear Energy Centre (CNEC) aims to develop a detailed understanding of the route to increased deployment of nuclear technology as a tool in the decarbonisation of our energy system.

  • Programmes

    At Cambridge, undergraduate and graduate courses are tough, demanding a lot from students. Students who put in the effort and demonstrate their ability can look forward to great rewards—including a degree that is highly valued by employers and graduate programs around the world.

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  • Doctoral Training

    The Nuclear Energy Futures consortium aims to graduate 80 PhDs who will provide innovation and leadership for the future of the UK nuclear industry. As a PhD student, you will get prepared for a rewarding career as you navigate the nuclear landscape in its entirety.

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  • Events

    As a student at Cambridge, you will get the opportunity to take part in many events, locally, nationally and internationally. These conferences, seminars and industry events give employers and academia the opportunity to form closer working relationships and open up a whole new world of opportunities.

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Worldwide research

Nuclear research at Cambridge ranges from systems engineering on the integration of current nuclear energy technology into emerging electricity grids with variable inputs to the atomic scale interaction of materials with radiation that will deliver the high temperature and radiation tolerant materials for next generation reactors. These will be of multiple scale from a few MWs to >4GW of thermal power with various applications in addition to electricity generation.

Why nuclear

Many governments around the world are realising that, as well as de-carbonising their energy systems, the stability, security and cost of energy supply are issues rising up their agendas. Nuclear energy systems provide solutions to reliable base-load power with existing technology and capacity factors over 90%, and a stable output that can keep prices low. Whilst the high energy density of the fuel means decades of fuel requirement may be prepared and stored.

Why Cambridge

Put simply, the University of Cambridge is widely regarded as being one of the best universities in the world. Drawing over 23,000 students from more than 140 countries, it's easy to see why Cambridge is also known as one of the world's most beautiful cities. With its unique blend of old and new architectural styles, it offers students the incredible opportunity to live, work and study alongside some of the finest examples of Tudor, Victorian and Medieval buildings in the UK.

The role of Cambridge Nuclear Energy Centre is to coordinate nuclear research and teaching across the University of Cambridge.