Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | EP/W001128/1 | |
| Title | Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for Nuclear Plus (RAIN+) | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Nuclear Fission and Fusion(Nuclear Fission, Nuclear supporting technologies) 50%; Nuclear Fission and Fusion(Nuclear Fusion) 50%; |
|
| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Computer Science and Informatics) 50%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 25%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 25%; |
|
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Professor B Lennox Electrical & Electronic Engineering University of Manchester |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | EPSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 April 2021 | |
| End Date | 31 March 2022 | |
| Duration | 12 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £1,975,413 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Mechanical engineering | |
| Region | North West | |
| Programme | ISCF Robotics | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Professor B Lennox , Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester |
| Other Investigator | Dr C Dixon , Computer Scienc, University of Liverpool Dr L Dennis , Computer Scienc, University of Liverpool Professor M Fisher , Computer Scienc, University of Liverpool Professor DA Axinte , Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham Dr X Dong , Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham Mr RJ Adams , Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham Dr A Mohammad , Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham Professor MJ Joyce , Engineering, Lancaster University Dr A Weightman , Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Manchester Dr SA Watson , Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester Dr J Carrasco , Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester Dr F Arvin , Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester Dr G Epiphaniou , Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick Professor C Maple , Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick Dr R Buckingham , Culham Division, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Dr M Haroutunian , Sch of Engineering, Newcastle University Dr S Benson , Sch of Engineering, Newcastle University Professor NG Wright , Electrical, Electronic & Computer Eng, Newcastle University Dr JH Boyle , Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds Dr P Scarfe , Sch of Psychology and Clinical Lang Sci, University of Reading Professor W Harwin , Sch of Biological Science, University of Reading Dr M Fallon , Engineering Science, University of Oxford Professor N Hawes , Engineering Science, University of Oxford Dr I Havoutis , Engineering Science, University of Oxford Dr PG Martin , Physics, University of Bristol Dr TS Richardson , Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol Dr G Herrmann , Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol Dr A Tzemanaki , Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol Dr TB Scott , Interface Analysis Centre, University of Bristol |
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| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | The nuclear industry has a vast array of highly complex and diverse challenges that span decommissioning, waste management, fission power plants, advanced modular reactors and fusion reactors. In the UK, one of the most significant challenges is to decommission legacy storage facilities. There is estimated to be approximately 3,000 tonnes of high-level waste (HLW), 310,000 tonnes of intermediate level waste (ILW) and hundreds of radioactive facilities that need to be decommissioned in the UK alone. Despite significant progress during the first phase of RAIN, decommissioning continues to rely almost exclusively on manual operations, requiring people to enter extremely hazardous environments placing themselves at risk. Significant amounts of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required, which reduces dexterity and lowers productivity to levels significantly below that of other industries. PPE also adds significantly to the waste materials that must be disposed of and as a consequence, makes some future operations infeasible. For example, it has been estimated that more than 1 million suited entries will be required to decommission the THORP plant alone on the Sellafield site. RAI technologies are therefore considered essential if the UK is to address its decommissioning challenges. In the future generation of nuclear power, fusion reactors will not be able to operate without advances being made to remote handling equipment. In addition, remote inspection and maintenance of new fission reactors is essential if they are to be commercially viable. RAIN+ will continue to push the boundaries of Robotics and AI (RAI) science, developing robotic solutions that solve major challenges facing the nuclear sector. To ensure that the work is relevant, has a long-term impact on industry, and leads to deployments of RAI technology into active facilities, RAIN will continue to work in close partnership with nuclear end-users, the supply chain and regulators. Furthermore, recognising that many of the hazards encountered in the nuclear industry are prevalent in other industry sectors, such as agriculture, construction, offshore and healthcare, RAIN will work to expand its user and application base such that RAI solutions can be developed that have cross-sector relevance and a single hub for all challenging environments, not just nuclear, can be established towards the end of this second phase | |
| Data | No related datasets |
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| Projects | No related projects |
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| Publications | No related publications |
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| Added to Database | 19/08/21 | |
