Nuclear excellence centres for UK universities

11 May 2010

Rolls-Royce has announced the opening of two new university centres dedicated to nuclear technology at Imperial College in London and the University of Manchester.

The two University Technology Centres (UTCs) will serve as hubs for excellence in nuclear science and engineering, providing a focal point for collaboration between Rolls-Royce and academics on new research in nuclear projects. The centres will focus on material properties, modelling of nuclear plant processes and safety and reliability, with applications in both civil and naval nuclear power.

Colin Smith, Rolls-Royce's director of engineering and technology, attended opening ceremonies at both institutions, which he described as proven centres of excellence for nuclear science. "Rolls-Royce is well placed to deliver world-class engineering and manufacturing capability to support the delivery of global nuclear power programs and we are delighted that these new UTC collaborations will help us remain at the cutting edge of technology," he said.

Students at the two universities also stand to benefit, as the centres help them to prepare for careers in the nuclear industry and give them better access to experts, industrial facilities and employment opportunities, according to Imperial engineering faculty principal Stephen Richardson. "Imperial has a long tradition of nuclear engineering research and teaching in close partnership with Rolls-Royce. The establishment of the UTC in nuclear technology is a natural extension of this important partnership," he said.

The Imperial UTC will be headed by Robin Grimes, while Tim Abram will lead the Manchester UTC. The University of Manchester is also a founding member of the academic-industrial Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC) initiative, of which Rolls-Royce is the lead industrial partner. 
 

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News