UNIST-Sheffield University Joint Research on Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Technology

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has joined hands with the University of Sheffield in the UK to develop nuclear power plant decommissioning technology. On the 23rd at 5 p.m., the institute held an international cooperation agreement ceremony via video conference at the 5th Engineering Building.

Through this agreement, they will engage in training research personnel for nuclear decommissioning and conduct joint research. By activating the exchange of research personnel and operating educational programs, they aim to cultivate experts and discover joint research projects in advanced manufacturing fields including nuclear decommissioning. They will also promote the joint use of infrastructure and resources such as research equipment and facilities.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Convergence Technology Research Center will take the lead in this cooperation by developing core element technologies for nuclear decommissioning and nurturing talent. Supported by the government and Ulsan City, the center is developing technologies such as radiation monitoring for nuclear decommissioning, safety evaluation technology for decommissioning radiation, and treatment technology for decommissioning radioactive waste.

Center Director Heeryung Kim emphasized, "South Korea is approaching the first decommissioning of commercial nuclear power plants such as Kori Unit 1, and through cooperation with countries experienced in decommissioning, we must proceed with decontamination, dismantling, cutting, waste treatment, and site restoration." He added, "If we accumulate and advance technologies for each process, we can foster nuclear decommissioning technology as a future key industry of Korea and enter the global market."

The University of Sheffield leads advanced technology research and development in various fields through the Advanced Manufacturing Research Institute, the largest commercial research institution in the UK. In the nuclear decommissioning field, it possesses advanced experience not only in technology development but also in building supply chains through collaboration with global companies.

UNIST President Yonghoon Lee said, "We are pleased to establish a mutual cooperative relationship with the University of Sheffield, which has rich experience in the nuclear decommissioning field." He added, "Through technological cooperation for future nuclear decommissioning, we hope to lay the foundation for securing domestic and global nuclear decommissioning industrial technologies."

Coen Lambert, President of the University of Sheffield, stated, "I believe this is a great opportunity to secure core technologies early and link them to industry through joint research with UNIST, which has excellent research capabilities across manufacturing fields including nuclear decommissioning." He continued, "We will share the nuclear decommissioning experience from the Shellafield region in the UK with Korea and contribute to cultivating global-level experts through the exchange of students and research personnel."