NuClear Science Case Studies

Highlights from across our portfolio of Science and Technology to showcase how we're delivering on our critical mission: to enable and deliver nuclear outcomes for government and support the growth of the UK nuclear sector

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2026 Core science

Safety first for the future of clean energy

UKNNL’s safety experts are leading nationally and internationally to develop smarter, more proportionate approaches that protect people and shape the standards for the nuclear industry.

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2026 Strategic research

Nuclear data at work: Tackling current and future challenges

Behind every reactor, every safety decision and every expected radiation dose lies something many people have never heard of: nuclear data.

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2026 Strategic research

Unlocking historical nuclear knowledge through artificial-intelligence-enabled searching

UKNNL holds around 100 million files dating back to the 1940s.

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2026 Innovation

Innovation across our Science and Technology Agenda

Innovation sits at the heart of UKNNL’s mission. As the UK’s national nuclear laboratory for fission, we are responsible for maintaining and advancing national nuclear capabilities and supporting industry to bring new technologies to market, a role strengthened by the 2024 Strategic Review.

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2026 Core science

How UKNNL is enabling the next generation of nuclear reactors

As the UK looks to a new generation of advanced reactors, UKNNL is developing the specialist modelling and simulation tools that allow engineers to test how these new designs will behave under every conceivable condition, contributing to major European programmes and shaping international standards in the process.

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2026 Core science

Mapping the future of fission materials

Every nuclear reactor depends on materials that must survive extreme heat, radiation and corrosion for decades.

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2025 Strategic research

The science behind safely managing the UK’s plutonium

UKNNL collaborations are helping to advance understanding of the science and behaviour of Plutonium, whilst exploring new opportunities to harness its unique capabilities.

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2025 Core science

Supporting research into safe and secure disposal of nuclear waste

UKNNL research is providing insights to support the location and design of future radioactive waste disposal deep underground.

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2025 Core science

An innovative production route for medical radioactive isotopes

Innovative research from UKNNL chemists has created and opportunity to secure sustainable supplies of medical radionuclides for serious disease diagnosis and treatment

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2025 Core science

Developing flexible reactor coolant testing facilities

Through academic partnerships UKNNL is working to test and develop materials and chemistry improvements for both the current and next generation of nuclear reactors.

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2025 Innovation

How adapting ultrasound technology can help decontaminate nuclear waste

A significant breakthrough by UKNNL researchers means that materials previously classified as radioactive waste can now be decontaminated in minutes, not days, using existing standard equipment.

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2024 Core science

Materials science enabling a low-carbon future

We’ve pioneered materials testing methods to support advanced reactors being developed to supply the UK with clean, safe power for generations to come.

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2024 Strategic research

Collaborating on research to drive innovation

We’ve participated in more than 100 European Commission-funded programmes spanning all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, including the Euratom-funded PREDIS, bring specialist skills and knowledge to the UK.

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2024 Innovation

A novel approach to decontamination

We’re developing a novel, cost-effective way of removing the corrosion-resistant surface layer of metal components for quick and easy decontamination during decommissioning.

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2024 Collaboration and strategic research

World-Leading research to benefit global challenges

We were invited to lead on a special edition of the journal Progress in Nuclear Energy related to the advanced fuel cycle, a rare privilege demonstrating the excellence of our research on the international stage.

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2024 Innovation

Innovative new app to support inspection of nuclear fuel

The newly developed DEPEND app digitises and streamlines the labour-intensive task of recording and processing fuel inspection data, enabling our people to continue to provide effective support to the industry.

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2024 Our people

World-leading experts pushing the boundaries of science

Our Fellows are world-renowned subject matter experts who collaborate and innovate to promote technical excellence and help shape national and international policy for a clean, sustainable nuclear future.