APRIL 2009 futures
5futures FOCUS NEW R&D CENTRE AT WESTLAKES
New research centre
moves a step closer
T
HE drive to create a
world-class sustainable
workforce and energy
industry in West Cumbria
has taken another significant
step forward with the planning
application for a dedicated research
and development centre at Westlakes
Science and Technology Park being
submitted to Copeland Borough
Council.
The initial �20million investment for
the project is jointly funded by the
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
(NDA) and the University of Manchester.
The concept to create a R&D facility
that specialises in nuclear
decommissioning engineering and
radiation sciences was first announced in
January 2007. Since then a detailed
business case has been put together,
professors to lead each discipline
recruited and the design of a new building
determined.
A contract was awarded to Energus last
October to drive forward the design and
submit the planning application. Using
the expertise gained by Energus in
developing its facility at Lillyhall should
guarantee the successful completion of
the centre, adding another world-class
establishment to the West Cumbria skills
infrastructure.
Previously referred to as the Dalton
Cumbria Facility, the building will be on
the northern corner of Westlakes, near the
Summergrove complex. The facility will
complement other research facilities on
the park such as the Geoffrey Schofield
Laboratory and Westlakes Research
Institute. It will also maximise links with
the emerging National Nuclear Laboratory
and the Sellafield Technology centre.
Looking at the artist's impressions,
parts of the building may look a little
familiar. Like Energus there is focus on
using Lakeland stone to create a focal
point. At Energus, it is the lecture theatre,
while for this new research facility it is
the central core of the building.
The overall concept is developing too,
with plans for additional research space
for related science users and the inclusion
of a Pelletron. This is an electrostatic
particle accelerator and will be one of
only three operating in the UK and be
invaluable to the research community.
Subject to planning approval, the aim is
to start work on site in September. As
with the development of Energus, Futures
will keep you up to date with how the
project progresses and those directly
involved in its development. With
Energus, the National Nuclear Laboratory
and now this new research facility all well
underway, the NDA's skills strategy and
the Energy Coast Vision are fast
becoming a practical reality.
Students explore use of robots in decommissioning
GRAND DESIGNS: A planning application has been submitted for a proposed research and development centre at Westlakes Science and Technology Park, to specialise in nuclear decommissioning
engineering and radiation sciences
A
TEAM of Lancaster University
engineers are exploring the use of
robots in Cumbria's nuclear
decommissioning process thanks to funding
from a charitable trust.
The Sir John Fisher Foundation has
provided �97,000 to support four
postgraduate engineering students on the
joint research project.
The foundation is a charitable trust
established in 1980 by Sir John and Lady
Maria Fisher.
Based in the engineering department at
Lancaster, the team-based postgraduate
engineering research programme is
believed to be the first of its kind, bringing
together students from different academic
backgrounds to tackle a real-world
problem. The students are working on
improving the use of `remote handling' or
robotic devices in the nuclear
decommissioning process. These have a
crucial role to play as they can enter places
which are unsafe for humans.
Decommissioning is a complex process in
which the needs of safety, efficiency and
environmental impact have to be borne in
mind on a continuous basis. The Sir John
Fisher Foundation Research Scholarships
will enable graduates to learn and develop
their ideas within this context.
The students will also act as ambassadors
in schools and colleges in Cumbria �
encouraging young people to consider
engineering as a career.
The Engineering Research Scholarships
build on Lancaster University's track record
in this area which includes extensive
research experience across control and
instrumentation, computational modelling,
autonomous robotics and characterisation; ;
and the NDA Nuclear Graduates Scheme,
for which Lancaster is the registered
appointing body.
Perry Chuinkam, one of the Sir John
Fisher Foundation Scholars, said he had
been intrigued by the novel structure of
the course. "The opportunity to do a
research degree in collaboration with
industry, as well as being involved in
academic outreach, is a rarity. I hope this
programme will give me the opportunity to
develop industry-specific skills and
knowledge, especially where it would be
difficult to obtain this knowledge through
a conventional taught course."

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