ARAMP researchers use large simulations to better understand how radiation interacts with materials, including the human body. One of our projects is investigating dosimetry in contaminated wounds which can support more accurate assessment and inform safer working practices.
We were fortunate to receive an Impact Accelerator Award to help us build closer links with Sellafield Ltd, where ARAMP Visiting Fellow Oliver Preedy works as a dosimetry specialist. The funding allowed us to employ two recent ARAMP graduates, Barney Fry and Tom Kimber, as Research Assistants over the summer. Barney and Tom have been developing simulations in Geant4, applying ARAMP’s dosimetry research to practical challenges identified through conversations with colleagues at Sellafield.
Our visit to Sellafield marked the culmination of their summer project. It gave Barney and Tom the chance to share their work with Sellafield Ltd staff, hear directly from specialists working in the field and discuss how their simulations could be applied to real world challenges. For the wider ARAMP team, it was also a valuable opportunity to learn more about the Sellafield environment and the realities of radiation protection at a large and complex nuclear site.
We hope this work can support Sellafield’s health physics team as it continues to develop monitoring and dosimetry approaches for unusual contamination scenarios, helping staff to assess potential exposures and respond effectively when needed.
Of course, research often produces as many new questions as it answers! The visit gave us plenty of new ideas and possible avenues to explore. Most importantly, it helped us better understand the challenges, strengthen our connections with Sellafield and start discussing where the collaboration could go next.
A huge thank you to Oliver Preedy Conor Molyneaux, and Joe Mansfield for being such brilliant hosts. Their knowledge and enthusiasm made the visit both informative and enjoyable, and we are very grateful for all their support throughout the project. We look forward to working together again in the future!