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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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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.
M. T. Andrews, J. T. Goorley, E. C. Corcoran, D. G. Kelly
Nuclear Technology | Volume 187 | Number 3 | September 2014 | Pages 235-242
Technical Paper | Fission Reactors | doi.org/10.13182/NT13-72
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Study of the magnitude and temporal behavior of delayed neutrons (DNs) enables the identification of fissile isotopes and a determination of their relative quantities. Thus, the ability to model accurately these neutrons and the methods of their detection is of relevance to nuclear forensics and counterterrorism. The capability of MCNP6 to model these emissions was examined and compared to measurements of the DNs produced by 233U, 235U, and 239Pu after neutron-induced fission. Fissile samples were irradiated in a SLOWPOKE-2 research reactor for 60 s and were then conveyed via pneumatic tubing to an array of six 3He detectors embedded in a paraffin moderator. Several MCNP6 input files were created to reproduce irradiation conditions, temporal DN emission, and the detection arrangement. Nuclear reactions and other effects within the 3He detectors were reproduced by MCNP6, and detection efficiencies of this modeled arrangement determined by MCNP6 were in agreement with experimental measurements. Finally, the library and model DN emission options in the MCNP6v1 release were evaluated and compared to the measured magnitudes and temporal behavior of 233U, 235U, and 239Pu. Significant discrepancies observed between the DN model option and measurements for count times >100 s are discussed.
