Research and development

R&D at the Nuclear AMRC is dedicated to helping companies identify and overcome their manufacturing problems.

Core R&D topics are determined by the board of industrial partners. This ensures that work is focused on industrial commercial requirements and can provide lasting value to members. We also carry out specific research for individual companies, and take part in externally funded research projects.

Our research spans the Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) scale. This means that we can take new manufacturing technologies and processes from proof of concept through to production readiness.

Our projects for the nuclear industry typically fall into one of three categories of manufacturing readiness:

  • Ready to compete (MRL 7+) Technology that is mature and ready to be deployed in the first stages of the UK new-build programme.
  • Ready to win (MRL 4-6) Technology that could be deployed in later stages of UK new-build and internationally.
  • Ready to change (MRL 3) Technology with the potential to provide long-term competitive advantage in global markets from 2020 onwards.

Research at our core facility in South Yorkshire focuses on the machining, fabrication and assembly of components for new nuclear power stations. See our list of research equipment for more information on current resources.

Research areas include:

  • Machine tool optimisation.
  • Large-scale demonstrators to take innovative technologies and processes to pre-production level.
  • Large-scale welding and cladding using robotics and adaptive control.
  • Non destructive evaluation (NDE).
  • Virtual manufacturing and assembly.

The University of Manchester provides additional manufacturing, testing and analytical facilities, building on the established nuclear and materials expertise of the Dalton Nuclear Institute.

Nuclear AMRC research in Manchester focuses on:

  • Materials processing, cutting, joining and surface technology.
  • Component performance in nuclear environments.
  • Materials characterisation.
  • Early-stage product and process development.

As well as our core collaborative and board-led research, we are leading the EPSRC-funded NNUMAN project. NNUMAN aims to develop new R&D capabilities to support the future needs of the UK and global nuclear industry. Key areas include innovative joining technologies, advanced machining, and near-net-shape production.