For this talk we will be joined by 3 expert panelists who will discuss the applications of robotics and AI within nuclear research and operations. This panel will then be followed by an optional tour of the robotics labs at The University of Manchester.

Please register to join in-person or remotely through Teams. If you would like to attend the tour of the robotics lab please select both an in-person ticket and a lab tour ticket when completing your order.

Bruno Adorno, Reader in Robotics, the University of Manchester

Bruno Vilhena Adorno received a five-year BSc degree (2004) in Mechatronics Engineering and a two-year research MSc degree (2008) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Brasília, Brazil, and a Ph.D. degree (2011) from the University of Montpellier, France. He is a Reader in Robotics in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Manchester and a Sellafield / Royal Academy of Engineering Senior Research Fellow. Before joining the University of Manchester, he was an Associate Professor with the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil, where he co-founded and co-led the Mechatronics, Control, and Robotics Research Group (MACRO).

Bruno's research interests include practical and theoretical aspects of kinematics, dynamics, and control of mobile manipulators, legged robots, and cooperative manipulation systems applied to different domains, ranging from robotic surgery to robotic nuclear decommissioning. He is an Associate Editor of IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters and the Deputy Academic Lead of RAICo, a £21m collaboration between the University of Manchester, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, and Sellafield.

Michael Fisher, Professor of Computer Science, the University of Manchester

Michael Fisher is a Professor of Computer Science, and Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies, at the University of Manchester.

His research concerns autonomous systems, particularly verification, software engineering, self-awareness, and trustworthiness, with applications across robotics and autonomous vehicles and he is academic lead for the CRADLE (Centre for Robotic Autonomy in Demanding and Long Lasting Environments) prosperity partnership with Amentum.
Fisher co-chairs the IEEE Technical Committee on the Verification of Autonomous Systems, and is a member of BSI and IEEE standards committees on Robotics and Autonomous Systems. He is currently on secondment (for 2 days per week) to the UK Government's
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology advising on issues around AI and Robotics.

Melissa Willis, Academic Research Lead for Future Technologies, Sellafield Ltd.

Melissa leads the Robotics Integrated Research Team, and supports the Manufacturing IRT at Sellafield Ltd which are responsible for the development & technical delivery of low TRL robotic and manufacturing projects from universities and supply chain companies. Her role involves understanding the decommissioning challenges, not only at Sellafield Ltd, but across the wider NDA estate; creating networks of complementary technologies from industry, SMEs, and academia.

Mel has been with Sellafield for 7 years, having come through the Graduate Scheme which allowed her opportunities to work with ICG (Inspection and Certification Group) and the Legacy Ponds Innovation Team. She has a PhD in Materials Science enjoys finding synergies between her previous studies and the work she does now.

Michael Oates, Senior Robotics Engineer, Amentum

Michael Oates is a Senior Robotics Engineer working for Engineering Development in Amentum, who specialise in robotics and remote operations consultancy across a number of sectors, including nuclear. During his career to date Michael has led a number of research and development projects into deploying robotics in nuclear environments, both working in fusion (across JET, ITER and STEP) and also decommissioning and maintenance of existing fission reactors both in the UK, and for Fukushima in Japan.

Michael also works as the Industry Engagement Lead as part of CRADLE, the prosperity partnership between Amentum and the University of Manchester. In this role Michael has led industry engagement projects which aim to utilise academic advancements in robotics in real world, client driven use cases.

This event is part of our Expert Insights Series...

In celebration of the Dalton Nuclear Institute’s 20th anniversary, this year we are launching our Expert Insights Series. This series brings together leaders from the Dalton Community and our partners to share their views and experiences across the breadth of nuclear with a wider audience. This will provide an exciting opportunity to engage with subject matter experts and broaden your nuclear knowledge.

The series is hosted by the Dalton Champions - members of Manchester's nuclear research community who work to enhance the network. Champions are based throughout the University, representing the many departments in which nuclear related research takes place.

About us

The University of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Institute brings together the University's community of over 170 PhD researchers, postdocs and fellows, and 120 academics. Spread across three faculties, their work covers the full nuclear fuel cycle, fusion, health and social research. Together this community forms the most advanced nuclear research capability in the UK.

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Beyond the reactor: Robotics and AI in nuclear operations