CMU to Establish Non-Destructive Testing Lab

The Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) is preparing to establish a non-destructive (NDT) testing nuclear energy lab.

A non-destructive testing lab is a facility where materials, components, or structures are examined for defects or flaws using techniques that do not damage the item being tested, allowing for evaluation of its integrity without altering its functionality.

Speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank, CMU President, Professor Andrew Spencer explained that the lab, which is the first of its kind in the Caribbean and is being funded by the International Atomic Energy Agency, is approximately 25 percent complete.

“That partnership has seen one of our very stellar faculty members, Ms. Waneka Wilson off to Greece for just under six months on a Postgraduate Educational Course on Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources in Athens and when she returns, she will be the only such certified individual in the entire Caribbean,” Dr. Spencer said.

He stated that Ms. Wilson is a member of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Technology at the CMU.

The CMU President underscored the importance of the NDT Lab and highlighted that the CMU, will be the only entity in the region with a trained faculty member and a lab outfitted for radioactive testing.

“Why does it matter to our industry? Because nuclear energy as an alternative source of energy is one of those areas that Jamaica has been looking to, but even more importantly for our industry, the maritime industry,” he said.

“When we think about the efficiency of ports, there is a desire to have vessels which come into our ports operating more efficiently,” he added. Professor Spencer pointed out that when vessels come into port, they must generate energy from their own sources, including fossil fuels.

“The Caribbean stands to reap most of the negative effect of that and what we are looking at with nuclear energy, is an opportunity for what we call Shore Power,” he stated.

Shore power refers to the practice of connecting a docked ship to the land-based electricity grid, allowing the vessel to use power from the shore, instead of running its onboard engines.

It is also sometimes called “cold ironing” or “alternative marine power” and is primarily used to reduce emissions while a ship is at berth. The CMU President explained that nuclear energy provides an alternative source to generate the electricity, that will allow for shore power to be a reality in Jamaica.

“If we can accomplish shore power, it allows for less emissions in our spaces and it allows for vessels to be able to do more of what they do in our spaces without leaving the negative impacts in the region,” Professor Spencer stated.

He added that the NDT Lab will also provide ultra sonic testing facilities, radiographic testing, magnetic testing and dye penetration testing, none of which are available in any other institution in the Caribbean region.

“We are proud to be at the forefront of this particular innovation,” Professor Spencer stated, adding that the lab will support testing in the areas of medical technology and nutraceuticals.