Dr Sandy Knowles - University of Birmingham

Dr Knowles is an Associate Professor in Nuclear Materials, Academy Associate Research Fellow and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow in the School of Metallurgy and Materials, University of Birmingham.

He is a materials scientist and engineer, focused on the design and development of advanced alloys for the extreme environments of nuclear fusion and fission, aerospace gas turbines, and concentrated solar power. He is a leader in the development of new ‘bcc superalloys’. Unlike current γ-γ’ nickel superalloys, β-β’ bcc superalloys make use of a bcc tungsten, titanium, or steel matrix, with their higher melting points, for increased operating temperatures. This work, as well as his work on commercial alloys, intermetallics and ‘high-entropy alloys’ (HEAs), is supported by Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE), National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), TIMET, and Roll-Royce.

Dr Knowles is actively involved in science policy, being a Foundation for Science and Technology Foundation Future Leader, 2021 cohort and alumni network, UK Fusion Materials national steering group, and UK Fusion Skills Council, as well as contributing to various government and community consultations.