Russian High Schoolers Develop App to Aid Nuclear Reactor Decommissioning

A team of students from Yekaterinburg has created a digital tool that helps engineers safely dismantle radioactive graphite blocks at aging nuclear plants.

As Russia plans to decommission RBMK-1000 reactors at the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant, a group of young engineers and software developers from Yekaterinburg has proposed an innovative IT-based solution. Their work was part of the 'Sirius. Summer' program, now in its fifth year, and it culminated in the successful testing of an app designed to assist reactor decommissioning teams.

The main challenge lies in safely removing radioactive graphite, which retains high levels of radiation. The students' app enables operators to input data on the activity levels of each graphite block, then generates tailored recommendations for safe and efficient removal.

This initiative reflects a broader trend of integrating robotics and digital tools into Russian education. Other student-led projects have addressed topics ranging from smart home automation and workforce management to plant disease diagnostics—many of which are now being applied in both everyday life and industrial settings.