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Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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.
Yeon Soo Kim, Gerard L. Hofman, James L. Snelgrove
Nuclear Technology | Volume 153 | Number 1 | January 2006 | Pages 18-24
Technical Paper | Fuel Cycle and Management | doi.org/10.13182/NT06-A3686
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Fission gas release and fuel expansion of irradiated uranium-zirconium hydride fuel were measured during fuel heating to melting. The first indication of melting occurred at approximately the uranium-cladding eutectic temperature, whereas complete melting took place at the U metal melting point. Fission gas release began with the onset of uranium-cladding melting and gradually increased with rising temperature. Two sharp peaks in the fission gas release were observed corresponding to the events of uranium-zirconium eutectic melting and uranium melting. The fractional release was much higher than that measured previously for fuel without cladding at comparable temperatures.