Issue link: https://htpgraphics.uberflip.com/i/1385717
FUTURE ASPIRATIONS // All the aforementioned research topics will continue being refined and improved. The robotic Raman system will shortly be established as a permanent installation within the NNUF-Hot Robotics facility at Fenswood Farm. This will be accessible to qualifying industry and academic users from the nuclear space across the United Kingdom. We are aiming to conduct return visits to Chernobyl in September 2021. This trip will be used to demonstrate improved gamma scanning resolution and accuracy. We will also investigate the use of a new type of quadrant gamma detection which aims to combine the resolution advantages of collimated gamma scanners whilst mitigating the disadvantages of signal rejection and long scan times. The inverse radiation modelling research will be used on these data outputs to realise a new breed of high scan rate imaging systems. In collaboration with the MET office the wildfire modelling process will be assessed with the view of setting up the necessary processes and resources to allow non-expert responders to use them in case such incidents arise again. Simultaneously, we will aim to conduct hyperspectral drone surveys of various regions of the Chernobyl exclusion zone to validate assumptions made within the fire modelling. RAIN PROGRESS // A Raman system was deployed on a KUKA LBR800 robotic manipulator and used to assess a range of analogues nuclear waste objects (including graphite fuel assembly) as well as conduct automated path planning. B) I developed a scanning collimated radiation imaging system with integrated lidar and camera feeds. This was mounted onto the back of a Boston Dynamics Spot quadrupedal robot and used to assess various sites in and around the former Chernobyl nuclear power plant. As such it was possible to deploy the instrument in settings which would have been prohibitively dangerous for direct deployment by a human operator. Due to the limited time allocated for some data acquisitions a novel resolution in-fill scanning methodology was adopted. C) I rapidly developed a fire propagation model that helped the MET office determine the radioactive risk to the UK. Commercial fire modelling software was used alongside fire evolution data from Nasa FIRMS system, to identify predicted ignition points. The findings were used to estimate the direction that any radiological release may have travelled. 37