Background
Dr Scott McMaster is a Research Scientist in the Radiation programme of ERISS. He also managers the radiochemistry and radiation measurement facilities at ERISS. Scott completed a PhD in Chemistry at RMIT University in Melbourne.
Scott’s research has covered multiple areas of the nuclear power industry including: minerals processing/hydrometallurgy of uranofeus ores, characterisation of uranium containing minerals, radionuclide disposal of spent nuclear fuel and radiation protection/dose assessment.
Areas of expertise and research interests
Beneficiation, dispersion modelling, hydrometallurgy, minerals characterisation, nuclear materials, radiation dose assessment, radionuclide immobilisation.
Key publications
McMaster, S.A., Ram, R., Faris, N., Pownceby, M.I., 2018. Radionuclide disposal using the pyrochlore supergroup of minerals as a host matrix – A review. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 360, 257-269.
Doering, C., McMaster, S.A., Johansen, M.P., 2018. Modelling the dispersion of radon-222 from a landform covered by low uranium grade waste rock. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 192, 498-504.
McMaster, S.A., Ram, R., Faris, N., Pownceby, M.I., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S.K., (2017). Uranium leaching from synthetic betafite: [(Ca,U)2(Ti,Nb,Ta)2O7]. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 160, 58-67.
Faris, N., Ram, R., Tardio, J., Bhargava, S., McMaster, S., & Pownceby, M. I. (2017). Application of ferrous pyrometallurgy to the beneficiation of rare earth bearing iron ores – A review. Minerals Engineering, 110, 20-30.
Faris, N., Ram, R., Chen, M., Tardio, J., Pownceby, M.I., Jones, L., McMaster, S., Webster, N., Bhargava, S.K., (2017). The effect of thermal pre-treatment on the dissolution of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) in ferric sulphate media. Hydrometallurgy, 169, 68-78.
McMaster, S. A., Ram, R., Pownceby, M. I., Tardio, J., & Bhargava, S. (2015). Characterisation and leaching studies on the uranium mineral betafite [(U,Ca)2(Nb,Ti,Ta)2O7]. Minerals Engineering, 81, 58-70.
McMaster, S. A., Ram, R., Charalambous, F. A., Pownceby, M. I., Tardio, J., & Bhargava, S. K. (2014). Synthesis and characterisation of the uranium pyrochlore betafite [(Ca,U)2(Ti,Nb,Ta)2O7]. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 280, 478-486.
Ram, R., Charalambous, F. A., McMaster, S. A., Pownceby, M. I., Tardio, J., & Bhargava, S. K. (2014). The effect of [Fe]TOT on the dissolution of synthetic Pb-doped UO2 and Th-doped UO2. Minerals Engineering, 58, 26-38.
Charalambous, F. A., Ram, R., McMaster, S. A., Pownceby, M. I., Tardio, J., & Bhargava, S. K. (2014). Leaching behaviour of natural and heat-treated brannerite-containing uranium ores in sulphate solutions with iron (III). Minerals Engineering, 57, 25-35.
Ram, R., Charalambous, F. A., McMaster, S. A., Pownceby, M. I., Tardio, J., & Bhargava, S. K. (2013). Chemical and micro-structural characterisation studies on natural uraninite and associated gangue minerals. Minerals Engineering, 45, 159-169.
Ram, R., Charalambous, F. A., McMaster, S. A., Pownceby, M. I., Tardio, J., & Bhargava, S. K. (2013). An investigation on the dissolution of natural uraninite ores. Minerals Engineering, 50, 83-92.
Ram, R., Charalambous, F. A., McMaster, S. A., Tardio, J., & Bhargava, S. K. (2013). An investigation on the effects of several anions on the dissolution of synthetic uraninite (UO2). Hydrometallurgy, 136, 93-104.
Charalambous, F. A., Ram, R., McMaster, S. A., Tardio, J., & Bhargava, S. K. (2013). An investigation on the dissolution of synthetic brannerite (UTi2O6). Hydrometallurgy, 139, 1-8.