Collection Overview 

Scientific Reports has launched a Guest-Edited Collection on Nuclear waste management and recycling. 

The safe and sustainable management of nuclear waste remains one of the most pressing challenges in modern society. As global reliance on nuclear processes grows, so too does the need for the next generation of strategies to handle radioactive by-products in such processes; the exploitation of nuclear reactions can be key in numerous fields spanning from energy to medical. Advances in containment materials, geological disposal methods, waste minimisation techniques, and long-term monitoring technologies are critical to ensuring environmental protection and public safety. Equally important is the development of efficient recycling methods for spent nuclear fuel, which can significantly reduce waste volumes and recover valuable radioactive materials for reuse.

This will be a Collection of original research papers  and will be open for submissions from all authors – on the condition that the manuscripts fall within the scope of the Collection and of Scientific Reports more generally. We are welcoming submissions until 1st May 2026.

Why is this Collection important?

"Nuclear waste management is a generational problem, one that demands vision, collaboration, and persistence across disciplines. I’m excited about this Scientific Reports collection because it highlights advances in repository design, radionuclide transport, and recycling strategies which can lead to sustainable solutions. The research which will be highlighted here has multiple recipients. It defines state-of-the art in the field, it informs policy makers, shapes public trust, and builds the foundation for responsible nuclear energy use. By contributing, authors will help define how science protects the environment for generations to come."

- Dr. Nikolaos Prasianakis, Guest Editor

Why submit to a collection?  

Collections like this one help promote high-quality science. They are led by Guest Editors, who are experts in their fields, and In-House Editors and are supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest.  

Who is involved?

Guest Editors:

• Moshawe Jack Madito, University of South Africa, South Africa
• Nikolaos I. Prasianakis, Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland
• Tiankai Yao, Idaho National Laboratory, USA
• Jian Zheng, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Japan

Internal Team:

• In-House Editor: Silvia Butera, Scientific Reports, UK
• Commissioning Editor: Robert Moran, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK
• Managing Editor: Rebecca Chan, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK

How can I submit my paper?

Visit the Collection page for more information on the Collection, and how to submit your article.