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Nuclear research in Manchester wins £6.5m Government funding

The University of Manchester has won £6.5m of Government funding for seven new research projects at its Dalton Nuclear Institute.

Business Secretary Vince Cable announced the investment as part of the new UK nuclear strategy for the University to develop new techniques for construction, operation and decommissioning of nuclear power stations.

Across the UK, 36 projects won funding worth a total £31m, while Dalton Nuclear Institute secured a cash injection for four large-scale R&D projects and three knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs).

KTPs awarded to the University will allow research to be carried out on high-level nuclear waste containment, investigations into mechanical performance of materials in nuclear power stations and the development of new products for the industry.

It will also see partnerships formed between the Dalton Nuclear Institute and businesses such as BEP Surface Technology, Heat Trace and M Wright and Sons.

Professor Andrew Sherry, Director of the Dalton Nuclear Institute said: “We are delighted by the announcements and are looking forward to working collaboratively with our nuclear industry partners on the development of innovative technologies which will have a real impact for the UK in current operations of the existing reactor fleet, decommissioning and waste management.”

Partnerships for the University’s R&D projects will see collaboration with EDF Energy R&D and Bradtec Decon Technologies to research life-time extension for nuclear power stations.

The Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts commented: “The Technology Strategy Board is playing a vital role in making sure innovative small and medium sized enterprises across the UK can bridge the valley of death between the research stage and the market place.

“These businesses are setting the pace for others to follow and making sure the UK stays at the front of the global race for technology and innovation in the nuclear industry.”

The projects were funded by the Technology Strategy Board, the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the Engineering and Physical Research Council.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .