Sheffield University and the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) have signed a collaborative agreement to share nuclear expertise in areas such as radioactive waste immobilisation and disposal.
The university’s Immobilisation Science Laboratory (ISL) currently receives support from the NNL. However, the latest agreement will extend this partnership to include the development of processes such as vitrification, cementation and the use of ceramics in the treatment of nuclear waste to allow for long-term storage.
The partnership will see the university undertake initial research with the NNL supporting further project development. Both organisations will work to secure funding from sources such as industry partners, the European Union (EU), governments and research councils.
In addition to providing project support, the NNL will contribute to course content at the university by covering waste immobilisation technology through lectures, seminars and workshops. Students will also have an opportunity to apply for bursaries, awards and vocational placements at NNL.
Dr Peter Bleasdale, managing director of the NNL, said: ‘We have been working with the university for almost eight years and this builds on the work already being undertaken together.
‘The combination of our relative skills and expertise and the opportunities that presents cannot be underestimated. At the same time we can help the process of knowledge sharing we believe is so important in this field.’
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