The Robots Built to Clean Up Our Nuclear Mess

Sellafield, a key site in the British nuclear industry, faces challenges from its toxic legacy. Efforts to clean up involve advanced robotics and AI, with global applications like aiding Fukushima. The site, marked by historical incidents like the Windscale fire, is a hub for technological innovation. The cleanup, costing billions, relies on robots to manage hazardous tasks, with future prospects in swarm technology.

What was the primary focus of Sellafield during the 1950s?

• Developing nuclear energy for civilian use

• Enriching uranium for nuclear bombs

• Building nuclear power plants

• Researching nuclear medicine

What was a major consequence of the Windscale Reactor fire in 1957?

• Immediate decommissioning of the site

• Shutdown of the nuclear program

• Radioactive contamination of farmland

• Evacuation of nearby towns

What is the primary goal of using robots at Sellafield?

• To replace human workers entirely

• To monitor radiation levels

• To speed up the construction of new facilities

• To safely remove radioactive material

How are drones being utilized in nuclear site cleanup?

• For training new workers

• For mapping contaminated areas

• For repairing damaged reactors

• For transporting nuclear waste

What is swarm technology in the context of nuclear cleanup?

• A technique for storing waste

• A method for cooling reactors

• A process for decontaminating soil

• A system where robots work together

What is the estimated cost of decommissioning the Sellafield site?

• $3 billion

• $88 billion

• $100 billion

• $50 billion

When is the Sellafield site expected to be fully cleared?

• By 2200

• By 2100

• By 2050

• By 2121