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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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The human factor in licensing and operating the next generation of nuclear plants
As human factors specialists working at the intersection of human performance and nuclear operations, we are witnessing one of the nuclear sector’s most significant transitions in decades. The emergence of small modular reactors, microreactors, and other advanced designs is reshaping the industry’s landscape. Digital instrumentation and controls, passive safety systems, and increased automation are creating opportunities for greater safety margins and more flexible operation. These same features also fundamentally redefine what it means to “operate” a nuclear plant. Interactions among human roles, automation, and passive systems shape how people maintain awareness, exercise judgment, and intervene when necessary. These developments affect both operational realities and the regulatory foundations on which nuclear safety is built.
Technical Session|Sponsored by NCSD
Wednesday, June 18, 2025|3:15–5:00PM CDT|Armitage
Session Chair:
Natalie Cannon
Alternate Chair:
Benjamin Martin
Session Organizer:
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Verified, Archived Library of Inputs and Data (VALID) Online Repository
3:15–3:35PM CDT
Travis M. Greene (ORNL), Robert A. Lefebvre (ORNL)
Paper
Criticality Safety Nuclide Rankings for TRISO Spent Fuel Applications
3:35–3:55PM CDT
Alex Shaw (ORNL), Veronica V. Karriem (ORNL), Walid A. Metwally (ORNL)
Microreactor Assembly Transportation Cask Model for Criticality Safety Basis Assessment
3:55–4:15PM CDT
Zhaopeng Zhong (ANL), Ahmed Amin Abdelhameed (ANL), Nicolas E. Stauff (ANL), Cihangir Celik (ORNL)
A New Benchmark Evaluation of Historical Experiments with HEU Cylinders and Annuli with 10-Inch Graphite Reflectors
4:15–4:35PM CDT
Kathryn Worrell (Univ. Tennessee, Knoxville), Vladimir Sobes (Univ. Tennessee, Knoxville), William J. Marshall (ORNL)
Criticality Evaluations of Additional Neutron Absorber for LEU+ ATF in Fuel Storage Systems
4:35–4:55PM CDT
Keon il Cha (Sejong Univ.), Kyoon ho Cha (Sejong Univ.)
