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Reference Number EP/Y034856/1
Title EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Skills And Training Underpinning a Renaissance in Nuclear (SATURN)
Status Started
Energy Categories Nuclear Fission and Fusion(Nuclear Fission) 100%;
Research Types Training 100%
Science and Technology Fields PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics) 20%;
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Applied Mathematics) 10%;
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Computer Science and Informatics) 10%;
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Chemical Engineering) 20%;
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 20%;
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (Geography and Environmental Studies) 10%;
SOCIAL SCIENCES (Economics and Econometrics) 10%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator Dr SL Heath
No email address given
Chemistry
University of Manchester
Award Type Standard
Funding Source EPSRC
Start Date 01 April 2024
End Date 30 September 2032
Duration 102 months
Total Grant Value £12,533,677
Industrial Sectors Energy
Region North West
Programme EPSRC Training Grants
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Dr SL Heath , Chemistry, University of Manchester (99.994%)
  Other Investigator Professor C Boxall , Engineering, Lancaster University (0.001%)
Professor BC Hanson , Inst of Particle Science & Engineering, University of Leeds (0.001%)
Dr B Walkley , Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Sheffield (0.001%)
Professor EA Patterson , Engineering, University of Liverpool (0.001%)
Prof RJ (Rebecca ) Lunn , Civil Engineering, University of Strathclyde (0.001%)
Dr M K Patel , Mech, Materials & Aerospace Engineerin, University of Liverpool (0.001%)
  Industrial Collaborator Project Contact , EDF Energy (0.000%)
Project Contact , Babcock International Group plc (0.000%)
Project Contact , National Physical Laboratory (NPL) (0.000%)
Project Contact , University of Sheffield (0.000%)
Project Contact , Magnox Electric Plc (0.000%)
Project Contact , Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) (0.000%)
Project Contact , EURATOM/CCFE (0.000%)
Project Contact , Environmental Agency (0.000%)
Project Contact , Framatome, France (0.000%)
Project Contact , National Nuclear Laboratory (0.000%)
Project Contact , AWE Plc (0.000%)
Project Contact , Sellafield Ltd (0.000%)
Project Contact , McMaster University, Canada (0.000%)
Project Contact , Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA (0.000%)
Project Contact , Lucideon Ltd (0.000%)
Project Contact , Jacobs UK Limited (0.000%)
Project Contact , National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), Taiwan (0.000%)
Project Contact , Rolls-Royce Submarines Limited (0.000%)
Project Contact , Copenhagen Atomics (0.000%)
Project Contact , Nuclear Waste Services (0.000%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract Since the 2004 Energy Act, nuclear fission has rapidly grown, and continues to grow, in significance in the UK's Energy and Net Zero Strategies.Government's Nuclear Industrial Strategy states clearly that the nuclear sector is integral to increasing productivity, driving growth across the country and meeting our Net Zero target. Nuclear is, and will continue to be, a vital part of our energy mix, providing low carbon power now and into the future, and the safe and efficient decommissioning of our nuclear legacy is an area of world-leading expertise. In order for this to be possible we need to underpin the skill base. The primary aim of SATURN is to provide high quality research training in the science and engineering underpinning nuclear fission technology, focussed on three broad themes:Current Nuclear Programmes. Decommissioning and cleanup; spent fuel and nuclear materials management; geological disposal; current operating reactors (AGRs, Sizewell B, propulsion); new build reactors (Hinkley C, Sizewell C, possibly Wylfa Newydd;Future Nuclear Energy: Advanced nuclear reactors (light water reactors, including PWR3, gas cooled reactors, liquid metal cooled reactors, other concepts); advanced fuel cycles; fusion (remote handling, tritium);Nuclear Energy in a Wider Context: Economics and finance; societal issues; management; regulation; technology transfer (e.g. robotics, sensors); manufacturing; interaction of infrastructure and environment; systems engineering.It has become clear that skills are very likely to limit the UK's nuclear capacity, with over half of the civil nuclear workforce and 70% of Subject Matter Experts due to retire by 2025. High level R&D skills are therefore on the critical path for all the UK's nuclear ambitions and, because of the 10-15 year lead time needed to address this shortage, urgent action is needed now.SATURN is a collaborative CDT involving the Universities of Manchester, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield and Strathclyde, which aims to develop the next generation of nuclear research leaders and deliver underpinning (Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1-3), long term science and engineering to meet the national priorities identified in Government's Nuclear Industrial Vision. SATURN also provides a pathway for mid technology level research (TRL 4-6) to be carried out by allowing projects to be based partly or entirely in an industrial setting. The consortium partners have been instrumental in a series of highly successful CDTs, Nuclear FiRST (2009-2013), NGN (Next Generation Nuclear, 2013-2018) and GREEN (Growing skills for Reliable, Economic Energy from Nuclear, 2018-2023). In collaboration with an expanded group of key nuclear industry partners SATURN will create a step-change in PhD training to deliver a high-quality PhD programme tailored to student needs; high profile, high impact outreach; and adventurous doctoral research which underpins real industry challenges.
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Added to Database 24/04/24