Xavier background poteau

Xavier poteau
Dr. Xavier Poteau, PhD, RAENg VP
Phone: +33 (0) 950 384 259
Email: Xavier.poteau@damona.co
LinkedIn: Xavier's profile

With more than 15 years of industrial expertise, Xavier’s in-depth knowledge of the nuclear sector will help fast-track your project, support your strategy development, identify partnership or facilitate your insertion within the nuclear sector. Versatile and with pluri-disciplinary expertise, Damona’s experts will always be able to help your business or project grow.

A strong experienced professional recognised by his peers

2020 - Current | Damona, France

With a comprehensive know-how and extensive first-hand experience of the nuclear industry, Xavier’s expertise covers a wide range of activities (Innovation and technology scouting. Technology development support. Business development support. Strategy advisory…). Familiar with, industrials, academicals and services providers expectations, Xavier and the Damona’s team can help support your business prospection or diversification in the nuclear sector.

intechbrew
2021 - Current | inTechBrew, France

inTechBrew is a bi-monthly e-magazine showcasing international, innovative and cost-cutting COTS for the nuclear sector. www.intechhbrew.com

robot nuclear
2016 - Current | University of Manchester, UK

Visiting Professorship from the Royal Association of Engineers (RAE) - University of Manchester. Focus on the research to develop robotic systems able to explore and manipulate objects in extreme environments. https://uomrobotics.com/

2018 - 2020 | Sellafield Ltd., UK

Alpha Capability Development team leader. Development strategy. Focus and leading of a portfolio of technologies development (up to deployment) for the characterisation, decontamination and dismantling of alpha glove boxes and alpha facilities.

2014 - 2018 | Sellafield Ltd., UK

Nuclear challenge identification. Development strategy. Partnership initiation and development. Management of short to long-term technology developments. Deployment support.

FGMSP sellafield
2009 - 2014 | Sellafield Ltd., UK

Identification, development and deployment of technical solutions to fast-track the underwater decommissioning of Sellafield First Generation Magnox Pond.

magnox rad waste
2006 - 2009 | Sellafield Ltd., UK

Technical support to on-going decommissioning work, pre-characterisation and decontamination strategies. Hazardous waste assessment and characterisation.

NNL
2004 - 2006 | NNL, UK

Marie Curie Fellowship. R&D of analytical methods for the preparation of pure isolate in an appropriate form for radiochemical analysis.

DCU
1999 - 2003 | Dublin University, Ireland

R&D of new environmental sensors for in-situ and real-time water quality assessment. Research included the development of optical sensors for the quantification of heavy metal or dissolved gas in seawater and water.

1995 - 2000 | UCLan, UK

PhD in photochemistry "Fluorescent sensor for metal ions".

Detailed past experience

Innovation & Development for hazardous environment (Nuclear Decommissioning)
Technical consultant

With more than 15 years of industrial expertise and numerous successful deployments of innovative, safer and cost- effective solutions, Xavier Poteau's in-depth knowledge of plant’s challenges and regulations will help fast-track your project and greatly facilitate the acceptance and integration of cost-effective solutions in some of the most hazardous industrial context known to man.

With expertise in fields as varied as Chemistry, Optronics, Imaging and Robotic, and first-hand understanding of most aspects of the nuclear industry (alpha decommissioning (gloveboxes/laboratories/stores), beta/gamma (wet and dry areas), legacy stores, reprocessing lines, waste treatment and disposal...), Xavier Poteau can offer effective support to your project, including market review, technology watch, road-mapping, strategy review or optimisation services...

As well as these, Xavier Poteau can also share know-how around complex issues revolving around ethical, legal or commercial requirements your project might need to consider to achieve success. Translation services or support (English/French) can also be considered.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, England
Visiting Professor in Robotics for Nuclear Decommissioning

In recognition of his role in the development of sacrificial robotics for hostile environments and the changes driven by the delivery of robotic platforms to the nuclear industry, Xavier currently holds a Visiting Professorship from the Royal Association of Engineers (RAE) with the University of Manchester (School of Electrical Engineering). Some of the developments he currently supports can be found here: www.uomrobotics.com

Decommissioning & Remediation Directorate, Sellafield Ltd., Seascale, England
Senior Capability Development Manager (Alpha Decommissioning)

With a multi-disciplinary background and a broad range of interests, I am able to understand the potential that existing and emerging technologies might have for the heavily regulated industry that is the nuclear sector. My extended experience of nuclear decommissioning allows me to consistently identify opportunities and help me develop and transfer innovative approaches to answer or mitigate some of the challenges encountered in modern decommissioning. Technology Report Sellafield 2016/17; 2017/2018

With a focus on maximising outputs and ensuring a fit-for-purpose approach through strong stakeholder engagement, I currently manage the Alpha Capability Development Team and leads a portfolio including the benchmarking of traditional “hands-on” as well as more innovative “no-hands” technologies for the characterisation, decontamination and dismantling of alpha gloveboxes from legacy buildings. As well as the development of in-glovebox manipulator and manipulator- mounted laser cutting, I am also personally engaged with the development and integration of mobile robotic platforms such as CARMA 2, the first autonomous surveying platform to be considered for deployment on Sellafield site (CARMA 2) and MIRRAX 2, a sacrificial platform for the survey of area with limited access (MIRRAX).

Strategy & Technical Directorate, Sellafield Ltd, Seascale, England.
Senior Technology and Innovation Manager

As portfolio manager, I had the responsibility to identify, initiate and manage short to long-term technology developments while also developing partnerships with large companies, SME and other academical institutions both nationally and

internationally. My hands-on approach has allowed for the successful development, insertion or transfer of a number of pioneering and cost-saving technologies for the nuclear sector. As such, I managed the development and deployment of ground-breaking robotic platforms such as a sacrificial micro-submarine with the ability to access silos or caves through existing ⌀150mm holes (AVEXIS); an autonomous platform for radiometric survey (CARMA 1) or a modular ground- based survey platform deployable through small portholes (MIRRAX).

As part of my role, I was also responsible for the creation and management of studies and projects involving themes as diverse as new analytical methods, underwater imaging in turbid conditions, in-situ probes, or benchmarking of radiometric capabilities for which I managed all commercial, financial and technical milestones. I was also involved in more far afield areas such as quantum technologies or robotics. Recognised as a technical expert with a focus on innovation and fit-for-purpose solutions, I regularly shared my learning internally or, when adapted, publicised it to a broader audience (lectures, conferences...). I also supervised a handful of PhDs and co-managed the CINDe (Centre for Innovative Nuclear Decommissioning Engineering) academic hub. Technology Report Sellafield 2013/14

FGMSP, Decommissioning, Sellafield Ltd, Seascale, England.
Technology Development Capability - Team Manager

As manager of a team of 5 persons overseeing the development of technical solutions to facilitate the decommissioning of Sellafield First Generation Magnox Pond (FGMSP), I have helped focus the development of innovative strategies and technologies to underpin some essential requirements towards the decommissioning of FGMSP, one of UK’s highest site hazards. As such, my team has heavily influenced the current decommissioning technology baseline and help resolve complex challenges from the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom/DGTREN). Some of these innovative technologies and approaches include:

  • Establishing the use of wireless multi-parametric in-situ probes for effluent monitoring: In-situ EXO

  • Pioneering the use of mobile in-situ monitoring capability for nuclear waste legacy ponds: Survey with ROV

  • Pioneering the development of freeze sampling/dredging technology for the nuclear sector:

    Underwater cryogenic sampling

  • Establishing the use of ROV for close range operations and the fast-tracking of FGMSP solid’s retrieval effort: Robotic manipulator

 
EndState, Sellafield Ltd, Seascale, England.
Senior Technical Officer

  • Technical support to on-going decommissioning work, pre-characterisation and decontamination strategies.

  • Hazardous waste assessment for site remediation and soil disposal authorisation.

  • Waste characterisation strategy including assessment of surface contamination, depth profiles or modelling.

National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), Seascale, England
Analytical Team Research Technologist
  • European Marie Curie Fellowship.
  • R&D of analytical methods for the preparation of pure isolate in an appropriate form for analysis (downstream stage of the radio-analytical process).
  • Research included rapid separation processes such as sequential microfiltration, supported liquid membrane and solid phase extraction using custom made molecular/ionic imprinted polymers (MIP).
National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR), Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
Environmental Scientist
  • European-funded multidisciplinary projects.
  • R&D of new environmental sensors for in-situ and real-time water quality assessment.
  • Research included the development of optical sensors for the qualification of heavy metal (Pb2+) or dissolved gaz (O2) in seawater as well as biofouling removal.
University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, England.
PhD in Photochemistry “Fluorescent sensor for metal ions”
  • Investigation of fundamental photophysical behavior in the presence of selected metal ions.
  • Expertise in photonics, optronics and fast domain spectroscopy.
  • Synthesis and characterisation of novel organic ligands.

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