Mathematical Theory of Radiation Transport: Nuclear Technology Frontiers (MaThRad)

Completed

Nuclear Fission and Fusion(Nuclear Fission, Nuclear supporting technologies)

Basic and strategic applied research

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Applied Mathematics)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Statistics and Operational Research)

Not Cross-cutting

Professor AE Kyprianou
Mathematical Sciences
University of Bath

Standard

EPSRC

01 September 2022

31 December 2022

4 months

£6,001,426

Mathematical sciences

South West

NC : Maths

Professor AE Kyprianou, Mathematical Sciences, University of Bath

Dr AMG Cox, Mathematical Sciences, University of Bath
Dr A Lourenco, Acoustics & Ionising Radiation Division, National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
Dr GT Parks, Engineering, University of Cambridge
Dr T Pryer, Mathematical Sciences, University of Bath
Dr E Shwageraus, Engineering, University of Cambridge

Project Contact, Rolls-Royce PLC
Project Contact, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), France
Project Contact, National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
Project Contact, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA
Project Contact, National Nuclear Laboratory
Project Contact, CEA (Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique), France
Project Contact, Sellafield Ltd
Project Contact, Helmholtz Centre Dresden-Rossendorf
Project Contact, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA
Project Contact, Rutherford Cancer Centres
Project Contact, University Hospital NHS Trust
Project Contact, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Project Contact, INRIA Bordeaux
Project Contact, Addenbrookes Hospital
Project Contact, EDF Energy
Project Contact, Westinghouse Electric Company UK Ltd
Project Contact, Aurora Health Physics Services LTD
Project Contact, Tsinghua University
Project Contact, Swiss Federal Inst of Technology (EPFL)
Project Contact, University of Auckland
Project Contact, CCFE/UKAEA
Project Contact, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA
Project Contact, Jacobs UK Limited
Project Contact, University of Nottingham
Project Contact, University of Warwick

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

19/10/22