NUTRAIN: Translating nuclear applications from University of York to University of Western Cape and University of Zululand

Experimental nuclear physics leads to many applications of radiation detection for societal needs from medical imaging to homeland security and nuclear decommissioning. The University of York nuclear physics group is heavily involved in such applications and has a broad portfolio of work which has been applied across many different sectors. Their detector development laboratories are very active with students from across the world receiving high-level training. This project intends to translate this activity to two historically disadvantaged universities in South Africa: the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and University of Zululand (UZ). Students from these universities will visit York to receive training in relevant technology. In parallel, this grant will fund the setting up of laboratories in their institutions where this work can be continued. The York team will support and mentor the students and early career scientists. Three different detector applications will be investigated relevant to medical imaging, mineral exploration as well as experimental nuclear physics. The SA researchers will work with their local industrial and laboratory contacts to put these detector prototypes into use. The project will help to upskill the young people involved and foster a culture of entrepreneurship and industrial engagement. This is intended to have an important legacy beyond the initial one-year term of this project.

This project can generate impact in a number of ways. Firstly, by upskilling early career scientists in SA institutions which draw more widely from other sub-Saharan African countries via their Masters in Nuclear Science programme. Secondly, research on nuclear applications carried out as part of this project may lead to industrial engagement and technology transfer. In addition, public engagement will be a major focus of profile raising. The impact plans are expanded on considerably in the Pathways to Impact document included as part of this submission.