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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 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.
S. Usman, S. Abdallah, M. Hawwari, M. Scarangella, L. Shoaib
Nuclear Technology | Volume 157 | Number 1 | January 2007 | Pages 65-73
Technical Paper | Thermal Hydraulics | doi.org/10.13182/NT07-A3802
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Thermal fluid physics associated with natural convection is investigated by using Rayleigh-Bénard convection experiments and numerical simulations. An analogy is proposed between the phenomenon of natural convection and an integrator circuit. This analogy is a logical extension of the resistor circuit analogy for conduction. Both experimental data and thermo-fluid simulations support the proposed model. It is observed that the characteristic time constant of the phenomenon of convection is a function of Prandtl number and acceleration due to gravity. The effect of reduced gravity and increased fluid viscosity is discussed. These results can significantly assist in thermal fluid analysis of future space reactors.