'NuSec' Nuclear Security Science Network - Extension Grant

原子能机构最近提供的数据说明了建立这一拟议网络的重要性和紧迫性，该机构设有一个核材料和放射性材料事件和非法贩运事件数据库。从1993年1月到2013年12月，原子能机构报告了2477起事件。他们的结论包括，材料是可以获得的，全球范围内的个人和团体都准备从事贩运活动。可以理解的是，核安全，特别是防止恐怖袭击，仍然是联合王国政府的高度优先事项。内阁办公室发布的国家民事紧急情况风险登记册说：“政府正在优先努力阻止恐怖分子获得发动这种{化学，生物，放射性或核}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，远远大于常规袭击。“因此，国家反恐战略竞赛说：“.其影响如此之大，我们认为必须为此做好准备。正如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。“这些准备工作大部分需要核安全科学方面的技术发展。这一主题是多学科的，并严重依赖于最终用户的参与是有效的。该网络将成为一种机制，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。该计划是我们成功的核安全科学NuSec网络的延伸，该网络从2015年运行到2019年。该网络的范围将继续侧重于辐射探测器和适用于核安全应用的探测技术，这属于STFC全球挑战网络电话的“安全”主题。一个关键目标将是建立核安全专题的研究能力，并继续鼓励学术研究人员，主要是但不限于STFC社区，以及工业和政府机构的利益攸关方之间的对话与合作。此外，该网络还将为英国社区提供一个重点，以便更好地定位自己，以便将来在国内（例如，STFC，其他研究委员会，Innovate UK）和国际上主要通过欧盟和美国计划获得主要资金来源。广泛的工业、国防和学术合作伙伴对网络的成功至关重要。传统上，英国在学术界的探测器开发方面具有很强的代表性，但这往往侧重于主要通过STFC资助的大规模国家科学优先事项。因此，该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，并使这些利益相关者能够与学术界接触，共同应对其应用挑战。

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.This program is an extension to our successful NuSec network in Nuclear Security Science which ran from 2015 to 2019. The scope of the network will remain 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 build research capability in nuclear security topics and to continue 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.