2024 IOP Apprentice Award

Daniel Smith began his level 3 apprenticeship in metrology with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) Nuclear Metrology Group (NMG) in 2021. His responsibilities included operating and maintaining a Van de Graaff ion accelerator, which creates standardised monoenergetic neutron fields, and the creation of bespoke target mounts through computer-aided design and 3D printing. The neutron fields enable measurement services for neutron detector calibration, ensuring the safety of workers in the nuclear industry. His first major project was replacing the corona discharge system on the particle accelerator with a more advanced model. His work now allows greater control of the accelerating potential, thus increasing the capability for reactions important for research into nuclear fusion.

Smith moved to the area of quantum electrical metrology for his second year, becoming a part of the team developing technologies continuously realising new standards for the SI electrical units, which extend into new definitions of these units. His role expanded into assisting with the fabrication of a quantum Hall resistance cryogenic current comparator, used for small current measurements destined for the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA).

For his final year, Smith returned to NMG and took responsibility for managing a research project funded by a combination of the EU/Euratom Accelerator and Research reactor Infrastructures for Education and Learning (ARIEL) project and the UK National Measurement System, measuring the nuclei of atoms. This underpins the realisation of next-generation nuclear reactor technologies that utilise molten salts, enabling safer and more economical operation when compared to existing reactors. Despite working with a strict budget and tight timeline, the initial experiments were a success, and he presented his findings at an IJCLab conference in Orsay, France.

From the beginning, Smith has given time generously, sharing his experiences and knowledge by becoming a STEM Ambassador, and organising and taking part in workshops to establish effective ways in which to promote and recognise technical skills and training. Additionally, he is a leader among his apprentice cohort, sitting as the current apprentice representative in the Apprentice Hub, as well as arranging team-building and social events. Most recently, he has joined a campaign for a student common room at NPL, which aims to unify apprentices, and graduate and postgraduate students to create new opportunities for shared learning and collaboration.