Friday 22 October 2021

The National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is supporting cross-sector innovation by launching challenges in three of the four Focus Areas outlined in its Science and Technology (S&T) Agenda.

Using the Game Changers process, these challenges will be funded by NNL as part of our open innovation agenda to collaborate and work with external partners. The chosen strategic areas are:

Clean Energy

• Technologies to scale thermochemical methods of hydrogen production
  Applications are invited for innovations that could overcome the barriers to scaling commercial deployment of thermochemical methods of hydrogen production from water.

Health and Nuclear Medicine

• Flexible method of production for thin film targets used in nuclear physics and nuclear medicine experiments
  Proposals are invited for innovative processes or methods to put down thin, metal-based films onto a low atomic mass backing material in a flexible and reproducible manner.

Security and Non-Proliferation

• Stand-off alpha radiation detection under daylight conditions
  In collaboration with the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), NNL are seeking solutions that could enable the remote detection and identification of radiologically hazardous sources of alpha radiation.

Dr Fiona Rayment, Chief Science and Technology Officer at the National Nuclear Laboratory, said: “I enthusiastically support these challenges that NNL are funding; innovation is a vital asset across these Focus Areas outlined in our S&T agenda. Proposals will ensure a number things, firstly, establishing NNL as a global leader in the clean energies of the future to meet net zero targets by 2050.

“Solutions to the challenges will also mean the UK has the skills and capability to expand the security of complex nuclear sites, working alongside AWE. Essential radiation research will be boosted, with the design of medical radioisotopes, working with NNL’s STELLAR project at our Central Laboratory.”

John O’Malley from the Atomic Weapons Establishment, said: “Game Changers is a great opportunity for innovators across the UK to make significant contributions to mitigate some of the important scientific and technological challenges faced in energy production and nuclear security by the UK, and indeed globally.

“AWE is delighted to be working with NNL and our government sponsors in this endeavour and we look forward to seeing some creative and practical solutions to these challenges arising from the community.”

Find detailed information on NNL’s Focus Areas, including Environmental Restoration in the Strategic Plan which launched in July 2021.

Challenge webinars for each will be held during the week commencing 1 November, providing further technical information and an opportunity to meet the challenge owners.

Applications close on Thursday, 18 November.