The international materials technology company, Lucideon, has signed a partner agreement worth over £350,000 with the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory Advanced Fuels Cycle Programme (AFCP) as a research and development partner.
The AFCP is part of the UK Government’s £180m Nuclear Innovation Programme. Its focus is on developing skills, knowledge and capabilities in areas including the development of accident tolerant fuels, fast reactor fuels, nuclear data development, separations technology, modelling and fabrication.
Under the R&D agreement NNL will draw on Lucideon’s expertise in its flash (field enhanced) sintering technology to improve the production of advanced nuclear fuels, through new developments in the structure and performance of materials.
The agreement will also see Lucideon collaborate with the University of Manchester, which will provide specialist resources to support the development.
“The scope of the programme recognises Lucideon’s world leading materials and process capabilities and we look forward to developing advanced ceramic technologies from our facilities in Stoke-on-Trent," said Tim Abbott, Lucideon business manager.
Lucideon said it has made a multi-million investment in flash sintering technology at its Stoke-on-Trent headquarters.
Paul Nevitt, technical director for AFCP, said: “It is great to have Lucideon as part of the AFCP UK team, which now includes over 50 different organisations in total.
“This is a crucial programme for the UK to develop the capability and capacity to support future nuclear ambitions and support delivery of the UK’s legally binding net zero 2050 commitments.
“The technology being developed as part of this relationship has the potential to deliver real innovation around advanced fuel manufacturing, an opportunity for the UK to be world leading.”
Photo: NNL will draw on Lucideon’s expertise in its flash (field enhanced) sintering technology to improve the production of advanced nuclear fuels, through new developments in the structure and performance of materials (Photo: Lucideon)
