Rapid expansion for i3D and ISI as Dr Richard French and Sarah Marsh-Collings join the team.
Increased workflow and success in the Integrated Innovation in Nuclear Decommissioning competition prompts the addition of two members to join IS-Instruments Ltd (ISI) and i3D Robotics Ltd (I3DR).
- Dr Richard French, Senior Systems Scientist
- Sarah Marsh-Collings, Dissemination and Exploitation Manager
IS-Instruments and i3D Robotics have been experiencing a period of rapid growth this year, necessitating the appointment of two new members to the team. In addition to the influx of new commissions, both companies have been involved in the Integrated Innovation in Nuclear Decommissioning competition funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Innovate UK and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. From a shortlist of 15, they are now part of 1 of 5 newly formed consortia that built prototype demonstrators incorporating robotics, remote sensing equipment and intelligent stereo vision systems designed to make the decommissioning process safer, faster and cheaper. Phase 1, testing in a non-radioactive environment, is now complete; Phase 2, testing in a radioactive environment, is about to begin.
Dr Richard French, a Senior Systems Scientist, brings over two decades of expertise in understanding how lightweight sensors, electronics & materials perform under exposure to high radiation. His role at the University of Sheffield as the group leader for an independent research team, “Enabling Sciences for Intelligent Manufacturing (ESIM)”. This involves building industry-academia collaborations to deliver innovative R&D concepts using robotics and autonomous systems. His extensive experience and innovative approach make him a valuable addition to our team, instilling confidence in our future plans.
With a PhD in Applied Physics and a hands-on background in mechanical and electrical engineering, Dr French has provided engineering and project management support to CERN’s ATLAS Experimental collaboration, spending many years constructing and fine-tuning the underground semi-conductor detectors to successfully prove the existence of the Big Bang Theory – the world’s largest, most complex experiment. Alongside this, working within the EU, he has developed large scale accelerator infrastructure programmes, focussing on the development of irradiation facilities as part of the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA) collaboration.
Sarah Marsh-Collings joins as Dissemination and Exploitation Manager, helping to raise the profiles of ISI and i3D to highlight the R&D advances taking place and their significance across multiple industries. With a BSc (Hons) in Natural Sciences and fourteen years of experience in Communications, her knowledge of online engagement platforms, coupled with her ability to communicate complex innovative technologies to a wider audience, brings additional and valuable exposure to the research being conducted.
Nicholas Bantin, Director at IS-Instruments Ltd and I3D Robotics Ltd:
“Dr French’s multi-disciplinary background and reputation as an innovator of disruptive technologies makes him a valuable addition to our team, not only as we progress to Phase 2 of the IIND competition but also with our continued work with real-world applications for use in autonomous welding, additive manufacturing, smart agriculture, and extreme environments including nuclear decommissioning. Having Sarah on board allows us to share our development of new technologies and to celebrate our successes with a wider audience outside that typically associated with industry and academia. Our innovations here have a significance beyond the academic, and we welcome the opportunity to educate and inform the public of the efforts being made to enhance all our futures through the intelligent application of science.”
