B. Santraine

Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives

Papers

Total Citations

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About

B. Santraine is a key contributor to the advancement of fusion energy technology, specializing in the development and deployment of robotic systems for in-vessel inspection and maintenance in tokamak reactors. Their most notable work centers on the Articulated Inspection Arm (AIA) robot, a pioneering tool designed for remote, regular inspections inside the WEST tokamak. The landmark 2018 paper, "WEST regular in-vessel Inspections with the Articulated Inspection Arm robot," which has garnered 11 citations, details the successful integration and operation of this robotic system in a high-radiation, vacuum environment. This contribution is critical for the long-term viability of fusion reactors, as it enables safe, routine monitoring of plasma-facing components without requiring human entry or prolonged reactor shutdowns. Santraine’s work directly addresses one of the most pressing engineering challenges in fusion: maintaining reactor integrity and performance over extended operational periods. By demonstrating the AIA’s reliability and precision, Santraine has helped set a standard for remote handling in next-generation fusion devices, including ITER. Their research is essential reading for engineers and physicists working on fusion reactor maintenance, robotics in hazardous environments, and the practical path toward sustainable fusion energy.