About
Hi, I'm Michael.
michaelk-research.dev is my public study notebook as I work towards a career maintaining equipment in a nuclear power plant. I'll use it to record what I'm learning and explain it in my own words.
Nuclear science was the A-level Physics topic that stayed with me—even though I earned an E. I went into vehicle repair, where I realised I understand things best when I know why and how something works. That's the approach I'm bringing to nuclear engineering now.
I'm currently applying to university and apprenticeship routes to find a path into the industry.
The question I'm exploring
How does controlled fission become electricity, and why does a PWR need each part of the process? I want to follow the energy from the reactor core through the coolant loops and turbine, and understand the physics behind each step—not just memorise equations.
My roadmap
- A-level Mathematics: Year 1 fundamentals — In progress
- A-level Mathematics: Year 2 topics — Next
- A-level Physics review — heat transfer, moments, energy, 2D vectors and radioactive decay
- Further topics — I'll add these as I progress
Last updated 27 October 2026
Honest disclosure
I'm a self-studying student, not an engineer. These notes are for learning, not professional guidance or peer-reviewed work. I'll list sources with published posts and correct mistakes when I find them.
Get in touch
If you're an apprenticeship scheme, university admissions team, or someone in the industry willing to talk to a serious learner — I'd genuinely value a conversation.