MICADO · Project

Digital Toolkit That Speeds Up Nuclear Waste Sorting and Cuts Decommissioning Costs

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Imagine you're cleaning out a massive old building, but everything inside might be radioactive — and you need to know exactly how dangerous each piece is before you can safely move or store it. Right now, workers measure waste with separate instruments, write results down by hand, and enter data into different databases manually. MICADO built an all-in-one digital measurement system that automatically scans, classifies, and records nuclear waste — like going from paper filing cabinets to a single smart app. The result is faster, more accurate waste sorting with less radiation exposure for workers.

By the numbers

consortium partners across the project

European countries represented in the consortium

industry partners involved in development

demonstrated subsystems and prototypes delivered

total project deliverables completed

55%

industry ratio in the consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Nuclear facility decommissioning generates enormous volumes of waste that must be precisely characterized before disposal — but current methods rely on separate, unconnected instruments with manual data entry, leading to high measurement uncertainties and costly misclassification. This means operators pay too much for waste disposal, workers face unnecessary radiation exposure, and projects run over schedule while waiting for accurate characterization results.

The solution

What was built

MICADO delivered the RCMS DigiWaste toolbox — an integrated system combining gamma spectroscopy, neutron measurement (active and passive), a deployable monitoring grid, a LINAC measurement system, and a unified digital software platform. Seven demonstrated subsystems were built, including a monitoring grid prototype ready for real-environment deployment and a software platform released for testing and server installation.

Audience

Who needs this

Nuclear decommissioning contractors managing facility dismantling projectsRadioactive waste management companies operating storage or disposal sitesNuclear safety authorities seeking standardized characterization methodsNuclear power plant operators planning end-of-life site cleanupEnvironmental remediation firms handling contaminated nuclear sites

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Nuclear Decommissioning

enterprise

Target: Companies contracted for nuclear facility dismantling and site cleanup

If you are a decommissioning contractor dealing with slow, manual waste characterization that delays project timelines — this project developed the RCMS DigiWaste toolbox, an integrated system combining gamma spectroscopy, neutron measurement, and a monitoring grid with a unified digital platform. It automates waste classification and reduces measurement uncertainties, which means fewer costly re-measurements and faster regulatory clearance.

Nuclear Waste Management

enterprise

Target: Waste management operators running interim storage or final repository facilities

If you are a waste management operator struggling with inconsistent measurement data from multiple unconnected instruments — MICADO built a modular digital platform that standardizes non-destructive assay procedures and digitizes all measurement data into one system. This eliminates manual data entry errors and creates full traceability from characterization to final disposal, which regulators increasingly demand.

Nuclear Safety Equipment

mid-size

Target: Manufacturers of radiation measurement and monitoring instruments

If you are an instrument manufacturer looking to integrate your hardware into a broader digital ecosystem for nuclear waste operations — MICADO created a standardized characterization method with 7 demonstrated subsystems including gamma imaging, neutron assay, and a monitoring grid. Aligning your products with this emerging standard could open access to decommissioning contracts across 5 European countries.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt this system?

The project data does not include specific pricing. However, the system is designed as a modular solution — meaning facilities can adopt individual components (e.g., only the gamma spectroscopy module) rather than the full suite, which allows phased investment. The coordinator CAEN SPA is an established nuclear electronics manufacturer, so commercial pricing discussions are possible.

Can this scale to large decommissioning sites?

Yes. The system was designed for in-field deployment at real nuclear facilities. The deliverables include a monitoring grid system described as ready for deployment in a real environment, and the digital platform handles the large data volumes produced during decommissioning operations. The modular architecture means it can scale from single-room cleanups to full facility dismantling.

Who owns the IP and how is it licensed?

The consortium of 11 partners across 5 countries jointly developed the technology. The coordinator, CAEN SPA (Italy), is an SME that manufactures nuclear electronics commercially, making them a likely point of contact for licensing or purchasing the integrated system. Specific IP arrangements would need to be discussed directly with the consortium.

Does this meet current nuclear safety regulations?

The project was specifically designed to facilitate regulatory exchanges between nuclear operators, research laboratories, and safety authorities. The standardized characterization procedure aims to become an international reference, which means it was built with regulatory compliance as a core requirement. Full traceability of waste material is a key feature for quality management and operational safety.

How long does implementation take?

The project ran from June 2019 to February 2023 to develop and demonstrate the full system. For end users, the modular design means individual components can be deployed independently. The digital software platform has been released and tested, and the hardware subsystems have been demonstrated as deployment-ready.

Can this integrate with our existing measurement equipment?

The RCMS DigiWaste toolbox was designed as a modular solution specifically to address the problem of multiple un-automated instruments producing data in incompatible formats. The digital platform consolidates data from different measurement subsystems and can incorporate legacy data. Integration with existing equipment would depend on the specific instruments in use.

Consortium

Who built it

The MICADO consortium is heavily industry-weighted at 55%, with 6 industrial partners out of 11 total — a strong signal that this technology was built for real-world deployment, not just academic publishing. The coordinator, CAEN SPA, is an Italian SME that already manufactures nuclear electronics commercially, which means there is an existing sales channel for bringing this to market. The consortium spans 5 countries (Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, France, Italy) covering the major European nuclear markets. With 4 research organizations providing scientific depth and 2 SMEs driving commercialization, this is a well-balanced team positioned to move from demonstration to market.

COSTRUZIONI APPARECCHIATURE ELETTRONICHE NUCLEARI CAEN SPACoordinator · IT
SOCIETA' GESTIONE IMPIANTI NUCLEARI PER AZIONIparticipant · IT
COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESparticipant · FR
AGENZIA NAZIONALE PER LE NUOVE TECNOLOGIE, L'ENERGIA E LO SVILUPPO ECONOMICO SOSTENIBILEparticipant · IT
STUDIECENTRUM VOOR KERNENERGIE / CENTRE D'ETUDE DE L'ENERGIE NUCLEAIREparticipant · BE
ORANO DEMANTELEMENTthirdparty · FR
CESKE VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V PRAZEparticipant · CZ
ORANO DS - DEMANTELEMENT ET SERVICEthirdparty · FR
ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI FISICA NUCLEAREparticipant · IT

How to reach the team

CAEN SPA (Italy) — established nuclear electronics manufacturer and project coordinator. Reachable through their corporate website.

Order a report on this consortium See COSTRUZIONI APPARECCHIATURE ELETTRONICHE NUCLEARI CAEN SPA profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the MICADO team to discuss deploying this waste characterization system at your facility? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting with the technology developers.

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