The Spanish Nuclear Society has awarded the 2024 prize for the best Doctoral Thesis in Nuclear Science and Technology to Jimena de Hita for the doctoral thesis “Alkali-Activated Cements for safe and sustainable immobilisation of nuclear-grade spent ion exchange resins“, carried out at the Eduardo Torroja Institute of Construction Sciences under the direction of María Criado Sanz in the Risk and Safety Management Group.
This doctoral thesis was carried out within the framework of the IRINEMA project (Immobilisation of nuclear-grade ion exchange resins in alkaline-activated materials) and aimed to develop a cementitious material with high technical performance and low environmental impact for the safe immobilisation of nuclear-grade spent ion exchange resins.
Currently, the research group continues to increase knowledge of new and improved nuclear waste storage options, thus contributing to the safe and sustainable management of nuclear waste.