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September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
B. K. Jensen, R. D. Endicott
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 4 | Number 2 | September 1983 | Pages 290-295
Fusion Systems Studies | doi.org/10.13182/FST83-A22883
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) has recently completed an assessment of the Wildcat d-d cycle and Starfire d-t cycle tokamak reactor designs. The purpose of the study was to assess the relative advantages of a d-d cycle reactor for the utility user. These potential advantages relate primarily to safety, siting, and licensing impacts. This paper will discuss the overall findings of the assessment. The assessment was performed utilizing existing regulations and judgement based on past experiences of the power generating industry, rather than on “ease of licensing” numerical formulas, since such formulas do not exist. The conclusions represent the input of a group of PSE&G people experienced in power plant siting and licensing, and are intended to provide utility feedback to the fusion engineering community. In the early part of the work the methodology to be used for making the assessment was developed. The key parts of the methodology will be described. The results of the assessment show that the siting, licensing, and safety differences between Starfire and Wildcat are more quantitative than qualitative. The specific Wildcat and Starfire design parameters impacting the siting, licensing, and safety areas, are identified with conclusions and recommendations given.