Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

Tender description

Our research group at the University of Manchester requires 4x bespoke glove boxes to be used for the containment of plutonium. Nuclear fuel (both uranium and plutonium) cannot be worked within “normal” laboratories because of the high risk caused by even small amounts of contamination. The legally allowed maximum inhalation of plutonium powder is 40 ng so these powders are handled in sealed glove box systems to protect operators. The specialised glove boxes required are custom-built and are highly engineered specialist items with multiple safety systems, each box is custom designed to meet the specific spatial, electrical and vibrational requirements of the equipment it will house while meeting essential safety standards all of which necessitates single source procurement for the design and build of these glove boxes.