Nuclear Security Science Network

原子能机构最近提供的数据说明了这一拟议网络的重要性和紧迫性，原子能机构维护着核材料和放射性材料的事件和非法贩运事件数据库。从1993年1月至2013年12月，原子能机构报告了2477起事件。他们的结论包括，材料是可用的，而且在全球范围内，个人和团体准备从事贩运活动。可以理解的是，核安全，特别是针对恐怖袭击的核安全，仍然是英国政府的高度优先事项。英国内阁府发布的国家突发公共事件风险登记册称：“政府正在优先努力阻止恐怖分子获得发动此类(化学、生物、辐射或核)袭击的能力。但如果恐怖组织成功，他们对英国的潜在影响将是严重的，而且比常规袭击大得多。”因此，国家反恐战略竞赛说：“……他们的影响如此之大，我们认为必须为他们做好准备。就像在这一战略的许多其他领域一样，这些准备工作必须尽可能与我们的海外盟友协调。”许多准备工作需要核安全科学方面的技术发展。这一主题涉及多个学科，在很大程度上依赖于最终用户的参与才能有效。该网络将是一种机制，将可能做出贡献的广泛学科与能够阐明要求的最终用户(英国和国际)联系起来。该网络的范围将集中在应用于核安全应用的辐射探测器和探测技术，这属于STFC全球挑战网络会议的安全主题。一个关键目标将是鼓励学术研究人员(主要但不限于STFC社区)与行业和政府机构的利益相关者之间的对话和合作。此外，该网络将为英国社区提供一个焦点，以便更好地为未来竞标国家(如STFC、其他研究委员会、Innovate UK)和国际主要通过欧盟和美国计划的主要资金来源做好准备。广泛的工业、国防和学术合作伙伴对该网络的成功至关重要。传统上，英国在学术界的探测器开发中具有非常强大的代表性，但这往往侧重于主要由STFC资助的大规模国家科学优先事项。因此，这个网络将为研究界提供一个强有力的论坛，与工业和国防部门的最终用户接触，并使这些利益攸关方能够让学术界参与他们的应用挑战。我们已经与广泛的工业、国防和学术合作伙伴进行了接触，这些合作伙伴对网络的成功至关重要。现附上国防部科学和技术负责人Bryan Wells博士、OCST CBRNE副主任Ian Gibson和AWE首席科学家Andrew Randewich教授的支持信。

The importance and urgency for this proposed network is illustrated by recent data from the IAEA who maintains a database of incidents and illicit trafficking events of nuclear and radioactive material. From January 1993 to December 2013 the IAEA report 2477 incidents. Their conclusions include that material is available and that globally individuals and groups are prepared to engage in trafficking. Understandably, Nuclear security, in particular against terrorist attack, continues to be high priority to the UK's government. The national risk register of civil emergencies, published by the Cabinet Office says:"The Government is prioritising efforts to stop terrorists gaining the capabilities to deliver such {chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear} attacks. But if terrorist groups were successful, their potential impact on the UK would be severe and significantly greater than a conventional attack. "The national counter terrorism strategy CONTEST therefore says:"...their impact is so high that we judge preparations must be made for them. As in so many other areas of this strategy those preparations must wherever possible be coordinated with our allies overseas. "Much of those preparations require technological developments in Nuclear Security Science. This subject is multidisciplinary and critically dependent on end-user engagement to be effective. This network will be the mechanism that associates the broad spectrum of disciplines that could possibly contribute, with the end users (UK and international) who can articulate the requirements.The scope of the network will be focussed on radiation detectors and detection techniques applied to nuclear security applications, which lies within the STFC Global Challenges 'security' theme of the network call. A key objective will be to encourage dialogue and collaboration between academic researcher, primarily but not limited to the STFC community, and stake holders in industry and government agencies. In addition the network will provide a point of focus for the UK community to better position themselves for future bids to major sources of funding both nationally (eg, STFC, other research councils, Innovate UK) and internationally principally through EU and US programmes. A broad range of industrial, defence and academic partners are vital to the success of the network. The UK has traditionally had a very strong representation in detector development within the academic community, but this has tended to focus on large-scale national science priorities principally funded through STFC. Therefore this network will provide a strong forum for the research community to engage with end-users in industry and the defence sectors, and to allow these stakeholders to engage the academic community in their application challenges. We have already engaged with a broad range of industrial, defence and academic partners, which are vital to the success of the network. Letters of support are attached from Dr Bryan Wells, MoD Head of Science and Technology, Ian Gibson Deputy Director of CBRNE at OCST, and Professor Andrew Randewich AWE Chief Scientist.