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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number EP/W026899/1
Title Mathematical Theory of Radiation Transport: Nuclear Technology Frontiers (MaThRad)
Status Completed
Energy Categories Nuclear Fission and Fusion(Nuclear Fission, Nuclear supporting technologies) 100%;
Research Types Basic and strategic applied research 100%
Science and Technology Fields PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Applied Mathematics) 50%;
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Statistics and Operational Research) 50%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator Professor AE Kyprianou
No email address given
Mathematical Sciences
University of Bath
Award Type Standard
Funding Source EPSRC
Start Date 01 September 2022
End Date 31 December 2022
Duration 4 months
Total Grant Value £6,001,426
Industrial Sectors Energy; Healthcare
Region South West
Programme Healthcare : Healthcare, NC : Maths
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Professor AE Kyprianou , Mathematical Sciences, University of Bath (99.993%)
  Other Investigator Dr GT Parks , Engineering, University of Cambridge (0.001%)
Dr E Shwageraus , Engineering, University of Cambridge (0.001%)
Dr AMG Cox , Mathematical Sciences, University of Bath (0.001%)
Dr T Pryer , Mathematical Sciences, University of Bath (0.001%)
Dr S Osman , Research and Development, (0.001%)
Dr C Baker , Medical Physics & Clinical Engineering, (0.001%)
Dr A Lourenco , Acoustics & Ionising Radiation Division, National Physical Laboratory (NPL) (0.001%)
  Industrial Collaborator Project Contact , EDF Energy (0.000%)
Project Contact , University of Warwick (0.000%)
Project Contact , National Physical Laboratory (NPL) (0.000%)
Project Contact , Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA (0.000%)
Project Contact , EURATOM/CCFE (0.000%)
Project Contact , Tsinghua University (THU). Beijing (0.000%)
Project Contact , National Nuclear Laboratory (0.000%)
Project Contact , CEA (Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique), France (0.000%)
Project Contact , Addenbrookes Hospital (0.000%)
Project Contact , University of Auckland, New Zealand (0.000%)
Project Contact , Sellafield Ltd (0.000%)
Project Contact , Westinghouse Electric Company UK Ltd (0.000%)
Project Contact , École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland (0.000%)
Project Contact , National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA (0.000%)
Project Contact , Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), France (0.000%)
Project Contact , Rolls-Royce PLC (0.000%)
Project Contact , Jacobs UK Limited (0.000%)
Project Contact , Aurora Health Physics Services LTD (0.000%)
Project Contact , Helmholtz Centre Dresden-Rossendorf (0.000%)
Project Contact , INRIA Bordeaux (0.000%)
Project Contact , International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA (0.000%)
Project Contact , Rutherford Cancer Centres (0.000%)
Project Contact , University Hospital NHS Trust (0.000%)
Project Contact , VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (0.000%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract Nuclear technology is, by definition, based around the principle of subatomic physics and the interaction of radiation particles with materials. Whilst the microscopic behaviour of such systems is well understood, the degree of inhomogeneity involved means that the ability to predict the flux of particles through complex physical environments on the macroscopic (human) scale is a significant challenge. This lies at the heart of how we design, regulate and operate some of the most important technologies for the twenty-first century. This includes building new reactors (fission and fusion), decommissioning old ones, medical radiation therapy, as well as opening the way forward into space technologies through e.g. the development of space-bound mini-reactors for off-world bases and protection for high-tech equipment exposed to high-energy radiation such as satellites and spacesuits. Accurate prediction of how radiation interacts with surrounding matter is based on modelling through the so-called Boltzmann transport equation (BTE). Many of the existing methods used in this field date back decades and rely on principles of simulated (e.g. neutron) particle counting obtained by Monte Carlo and other numerical methods. Input from the mathematical sciences community since the 1980s has been limited. In the meantime, various mathematical theories have since emerged that present the opportunity for entirely new approaches. Together with powerful modern HPC and smarter algorithms, they have the capacity to handle significantly more complex scenarios e.g. time dependence, rare-event sampling and variance reduction as well as multi-physics modelling. This five-year interdisciplinary programme of research will combine modern mathematical methods from probability theory, advanced Monte Carlo methods and inverse problems to develop novel approaches to the theory and application of radiation transport. We will pursue an interactive exploration of foundational, translational and application-driven research; developing predictive models with quantifiable accuracy and software prototypes, ready for real-world implementation in the energy, healthcare and space nuclear industries. This programme grant will unite complementary research groups from mathematics, engineering and medical physics, leading to sustained critical mass in academic knowledge and expertise. Through a diverse team of researchers, we will lead advances in radiation modelling that are disruptive to the current paradigm, ensuring that the UK is at the forefront of the 21st century nuclear industry
Publications (none)
Final Report (none)
Added to Database 19/10/22