Nuclear physics
Our work in nuclear physics includes the development of systems for monitoring nuclear propulsion and test site treaty transparency with NNSA and STFC, collaborations with NNL, NDA and Sellafield on monitoring waste storage remotely and assessing land contamination, as well as developing radiation detection technologies for physics experiments and nuclear medicine.
We work on industrial nuclear imaging which involves the development and deployment of gamma ray and neutron sensors for large nuclear physics experiments around the world, as well as for security and environmental gamma-ray imaging applications. We are also the lead partner for the STFC Cancer Diagnosis Network+.
Nuclear energy
We lead the STFC and RAEng supported iMAGINE project which is developing an optimised system to harvest the advantages of a closed fuel cycle without the related proliferation concerns. iMAGINE delivers new approaches for energy production with integrated waste management and is based on our wide experience in partitioning and transmutation, and advanced reactor technologies.
We also lead an interdisciplinary UKRI project on developing the draft for a future zero-power experimental facility and the related programme to support the next steps for the development of iMAGINE. This project is incorporating advanced reactor design with instrumentation technologies, nuclear chemistry, social science, and proliferation resistance.
Mathematical modelling
We have deep expertise in waves and continuum mechanics, such as scattering of elastic waves from defects, fracture, thermal striping, and elastic waves initiated by thermal shocks. We have developed mathematical models for the design and qualification of ultrasonic non-destructive inspections of nuclear components using digital twins.
Machine learning algorithms are now being implemented to develop a new automated data analysis tool to improve the reliability of detection, sizing, and characterization of defects of critical importance to the nuclear sector.
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Digital and virtual engineering
We have a sustained track record in the development of virtual engineering solutions for the nuclear industry, including the realisation of multi-participant virtual environments for design reviews of plant systems and virtual facilities for operator training in decommissioning.
We led the development of software architecture for digital twins of nuclear power plants in the BEIS-funded Nuclear Virtual Engineering Capability (NVEC) programme which improved design analysis productivity sixteen-fold.
Nuclear and plasma technology
We have expertise in plasma chemistry and in the application of plasmas for different technological applications, including in the divertor region of tokamaks used in fusion energy reactors and low temperature atmospheric pressure plasmas for applications such as polymerisation and thin-film coating. We also have expertise in nanoparticle and analyte detection using the plasma to charge the particles without breaking them apart.
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Nuclear materials and engineering
We have expertise in the phase stability of complex ceramics and radiation-induced modifications in fission and fusion materials, providing fundamental insights for long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel, ageing of legacy special nuclear materials such as plutonium dioxide, and long-term evolution of nuclear waste. We work on experimental mechanics research applied to monitor crack propagation and the measurement of stress fields for the validation of computational models. Our work on validation methodologies is embedded in a CEN pre-standard.
We are also experts in precision manufacturing with lasers, using additive, subtractive and formative processes, with applications in advanced materials, functional surface structuring and precision alignment/adjustment.