Technology Research & Development

 UK companies and nuclear agencies have a long tradition in research and development.  A National Nuclear Laboratory and science centre has been set up with funding from government and industry to provide a centre of excellence for research into nuclear power generation.  

This is supported by the academic community.  For example, a Nuclear Engineering Doctorate (Nuclear EngD) degree is offered by a consortium of UK universities, led by the Dalton Nuclear Institute at the University of Manchester in partnership with Imperial College London, and supported by the universities of Bristol, Leeds, Sheffield and Strathclyde.

UK Universities and research institutions have strong capabilities in: nuclear materials performance; radiochemistry; nuclear modelling; nuclear waste disposal; radio-biology; dosimetry and epidemiology; nuclear physics; nuclear policy; and nuclear fusion research.

The UK government’s support for the advanced manufacturing sector includes investment in nuclear R&D. In July 2009 the government announced the setting up of a Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, as part of its Low Carbon Industrial Strategy. Rolls Royce will be a leading partner in this research centre and will also be investing, with the help of a government grant, in a new factory to manufacture, assemble, and test components for new-build nuclear power stations. Components will include pressure vessels, heat exchangers and other large and complex reactor parts. 

UK companies, like UK universities, are at the forefront of nuclear fusion research, through the ITER project, for example. Over the next 10 years an experimental fusion reactor, the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor (ITER) will be constructed at Cadarache in France. The ITER project is being executed by an international consortium comprising the European Union (represented by EURATOM), Japan, China, India, South Korea, Russia and the USA. Work on the project is being sought by UK companies including the UK FusionTech consortium, which is bidding to supply the ITER TF (Toroidal Field) Magnet Coils Winding Pack.  UK Fusion Tech comprises Cosworth, Hyde Group, Scientific Magnetics (previousely Space Cryomagnetics) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council. 

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