Projects per year
Personal profile
Academic Background
Dr Thomas Anthony Haynes is a computational modeller focusing upon developing novel local (finite element) and non-local (phase-field and peridynamics) multiphysics techniques to understand material and component failure at the engineering scale in nuclear systems. When materials are exposed to elevated temperatures and neutron fluxes over both extended periods of time and during transients, they develop complicated stress fields due to phenomena such as thermal expansion, swelling, densification, creep and plasticity. These stress fields can result in damage and ultimately failure. In seeking a mechanistic and quantitative understanding of these fields and the resulting damage, a contribution can be made to the safety, efficiency and reliability of the systems upon which sustainable development in a net-zero context depends.
Dr Haynes has previously modelled pellet-clad interaction in the UK’s advanced gas-cooled reactors using finite element analysis; failure of composite SiC/SiC claddings for accident tolerant fuels using peridynamics; coated particle (TRISO) fuels for advanced modular reactors using peridynamics; oxidation of the zirconium-based alloys current employed in light water reactors; and blankets for fusion reactors. His research is characterised by industrial collaboration and he maintains close links with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the National Nuclear Laboratory and EDF Energy.
Dr Haynes' personal webpage can be found here: https://www.haynesnuclear.uk/
Teaching Interests
- ENG-3001Y Foundations of Engineering
- ENG-4008Y Engineering Principals & Analysis (Dynamics)
- ENG-6011B Nuclear Engineering & Technology
- ENG-6008Y Engineering Major Project
- ENG-7011B Nuclear Engineering & Technology with Advanced Topics
- ENG-7105X Energy Engineering Dissertation.
Areas of Expertise
- Nuclear Engineering
- Solid Mechanics
- Finite Element Analysis
- Non-Local Computational Mechanics
- Materials Science
- Peridynamics
Key Responsibilities
- Director of Foundation Year (School of Engineering, Maths & Physics)
- Disability Liaison Officer (School of Engineering, Maths & Physics)
- Engineering software co-ordinator (School of Engineering, Maths & Physics)
- Welcome week co-ordinator (School of Engineering, Maths & Physics)
- Senate representative (Faculty of Science)
- Director of Foundation Year (Faculty of Science)
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Engineering, Finite Element Modelling of Nuclear Fuel Performance in Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactors, Imperial College London
2013 → 2018
Award Date: 8 May 2019
Master of Science, Nuclear Engineering, Imperial College London
2012 → 2013
Award Date: 1 Oct 2013
PGCE, Secondary Education
2009 → 2010
Award Date: 30 Jun 2010
Bachelor of Arts, Natural Sciences (Physics), University of Cambridge
2006 → 2008
Award Date: 28 Jun 2008
External positions
Honorary Lecturer, Imperial College London
12 Nov 2024 → …
UK Observer, Expert Group on Fuel Materials, Expert Group on Fuel Materials, Expert Group on Fuel Materials, , OECD Nuclear Energy Agency
19 Dec 2022 → …
Board Representative, UK Association for Computational Mechanics
27 Feb 2022 → …
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Developing a Mechanistic Understanding of the Thermomechanical Behaviour of Coated Particle Fuels
Haynes, T. (Principal Investigator)
29/06/26 → 31/12/28
Project: Research
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UKAEA Fusion Internship Scheme
Haynes, T. (Principal Investigator)
1/06/26 → 31/08/26
Project: Training
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FOSTER Summer Intern Scheme 2025
Haynes, T. (Principal Investigator)
1/06/25 → 31/08/25
Project: Training
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Modelling of Residual Stresses of TRISO Fuel for High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors
Haynes, T. (Principal Investigator)
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
1/03/24 → 26/06/24
Project: Research
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Modelling Small Punch Techniques for Fusion Applications
Haynes, T. (Principal Investigator)
Culham Centre for Fusion Energy
20/06/23 → 19/06/24
Project: Research
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The impact of the matrix and buffer properties on residual stresses in TRISO particles during manufacture and early life
Inyang-Udoh, U., Battistini, A., Jones, L., Leide, A., Wenman, M. R. & Haynes, T., Jan 2026, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 620, 156311.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
Bond-based peridynamics model of 3-point bend tests of ceramic-composite interfaces
Battistini, A., Haynes, T. A., Jones, L. & Wenman, M. R., Sept 2024, In: Journal of the American Ceramic Society. 107, 9, p. 6004-6018 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile5 Citations (Scopus)12 Downloads (Pure) -
Peridynamic modelling of zirconium oxidation to gain mechanistic understanding
Lea, S. L. M., Haynes, T. A. & Wenman, M. R., 1 May 2024, In: Nuclear Future. 20, 3, p. 57-62 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Citation (Scopus) -
Measurement of residual stresses in surrogate coated nuclear fuel particles using ring-core focussed ion beam digital image correlation
Leide, A. J., Haynes, T. A., Tzelepi, N., Payne, J., Jordan, M., Knol, S., Vreeling, J. A., Davies, M., Goddard, D. T., Pfeifenberger, M. J., Alfreider, M., Kiener, D. & Liu, D., Sept 2023, In: Nuclear Materials and Energy. 36, 101470.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile13 Citations (Scopus)24 Downloads (Pure) -
Peridynamic modelling of cracking in TRISO particles for high temperature reactors
Haynes, T. A., Battistini, A., Leide, A. J., Liu, D., Jones, L., Shepherd, D. & Wenman, M. R., 1 Apr 2023, In: Journal of Nuclear Materials. 576, 154283.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile10 Citations (Scopus)70 Downloads (Pure)
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8th International Workshop on Material Properties of TRISO Fuels
Haynes, T. (Speaker)
Jul 2026Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
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UK Fuel Technology Forum (External organisation)
Haynes, T. (Member)
2026Activity: Membership › Industry panel or group
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Nuclear Institute (External organisation)
Haynes, T. (Member)
30 Sept 2025 → …Activity: Membership › Committee
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Revisiting the nuclear roadmap: evidence submitted to UK Parliamentary Committee
Bluck , M. (Contributor), Davies , C. (Contributor), Haynes, T. (Contributor), Tate , J. (Contributor) & Wenman, M. R. (Contributor)
18 Jul 2025Activity: Other activity types › Other
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International Conference and Exposition on Advanced Ceramics and Composites
Haynes, T. (Speaker)
25 Jan 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
Press/Media
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Fuelling net zero: TRISO fuel for high-temperature gas-cooled reactors
1/01/26
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Media Coverage or Contribution
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Can the UK fast-track nuclear power without cutting corners on safety?
18/09/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Media Coverage or Contribution
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What next for Sizewell B after 30-year milestone?
17/02/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Media Coverage or Contribution