March 11, 2022 – Framatome recently selected Professor Robert Anthony Ainsworth, Professor of Structural Integrity at the University of Manchester, as the 2021 recipient of its prestigious Framatome Excellence in Nuclear Reactor Science in the UK Award. In a ceremony held at the French Ambassador’s Residence in London, Professor Ainsworth was recognized for his wealth of experience in nuclear reactor science, breadth of positions held in both the academic and private sectors and commitment to the general advancement of nuclear reactor science at large.
“The
French Embassy is proud to host the ceremony for the second Framatome
Excellence in Nuclear Reactor Science in the UK Award, highlighting scientific
work of great importance for the nuclear industry as a whole,” said Pierre-Yves
Cordier, Nuclear Adviser, French Embassy. “The establishment of this award,
given by a French industrial group to a British scientist, exemplifies the
strengthening of relations between our two countries in the field of nuclear
energy, which is important alongside renewables in order to succeed in the
drive towards net zero."
“Partnering
with universities and research institutions in the UK creates opportunities for
Framatome in the field of nuclear energy innovations that directly benefit our
industry and customers in the UK and around the world,” said Bernard Fontana,
CEO of Framatome. “We created this award to recognize research leaders helping
move our industry forward, and Professor Ainsworth work represents the best
British nuclear reactor science has to offer. We congratulate Professor
Ainsworth for his contribution to the nuclear energy industry.”
Professor
Ainsworth’s career has produced, among other achievements, foundational work in
the development of structural integrity assessment procedures; many of which
are part of the current UK nuclear reactor standards for establishing
structural integrity of nuclear reactor components. He holds the special
distinction of creating defect and high temperature assessment procedures that
are deployed globally along with their underlying methods. While working in a
senior industry management position at British Energy, Professor Ainsworth
fostered research alliances with four major UK universities.
The
Framatome Excellence in Nuclear Reactor Science in the UK Award is open to
senior engineers and university professors who have made significant R&D
contributions in the field of nuclear reactors and fuel.
Please
refer to the French Embassy
Flickr account for event photographs.