Open Nuclear challenges 2023: export and handling, long lasting seals

Open Nuclear, run by the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), has released two challenges which are open until 1st June 2023. The best ideas will be awarded up to £12k of funding for a 12 week ‘Discover’ project to explore the proposal further.  Successful projects can then unlock further funding to work in partnership with NNL to maximise the potential of ideas and leverage unparalleled nuclear sector knowledge and expertise.

Challenge 1: Export and handling of small, irradiated samples

The National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) operates facilities to handle and examine irradiated materials to support the nuclear industry.  These materials are processed and stored inside shielded cells. On occasion it is necessary to be able to export samples from these cells and transport them to other NNL facilities.  NNL would like to explore opportunities to simplify the current sample export process.

The aim of this challenge is to design an export system which will enable NNL to make use of existing wall penetrations in the shielded cells to export small samples.

A challenge webinar will take place on 12th May at 11am providing further details about this challenge and the opportunity it represents.  Delegates will have the chance to learn more about Open Nuclear, meet the challenge owner and ask questions.  Please register for the webinar on Eventbrite.

Challenge 2: long-lasting seals for nuclear product cans

The provision of some of NNL’s services necessitates the long-term storage of a variety of nuclear materials in product cans. NNL would like to explore opportunities to seal product containers in such a way that seal integrity can be maintained for up to five years.

The seals must be easy to apply and remove using Master-Slave Manipulators (MSMs) and they must be capable of withstanding a highly radioactive environment.

Whilst this challenge relates to a specific opportunity in the Windscale Laboratory, there is a requirement to use this technology at other nuclear sites throughout the world.  There is therefore a global opportunity for solutions to this challenge.

A challenge webinar will take place on 11th May at 2pm providing further details about this challenge and the opportunity it represents.  Delegates will have the chance to learn more about Open Nuclear, meet the challenge owner and ask questions.  Please register for the webinar on Eventbrite.

Support and further queries

If you have any questions or would like to know more about how Open Nuclear works, please get in touch Hello@OpenNuclear.co.uk.

If you would like help to find a collaboration partner, contact Ray Chegwin, KTM for Nuclear Energy.