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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.
Nuclear Plant Instrumentation and Control & Human-Machine Interface Technology (NPIC&HMIT 2025)
Technical Session
Wednesday, June 18, 2025|10:00–11:45AM CDT|Miami/Scottsdale
Session Chair:
Hyun Gook Kang
Alternate Chair:
Carol S. Smidts
Session Organizer:
Syed Bahauddin Alam
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The Technical, Economic, Risk, and Adoption Assessment for Evaluating Innovation Projects in the Nuclear Industry
10:00–10:20AM CDT
Ryan M. Spangler (INL), Vivek Agarwal (INL)
Paper
Paper Digital I&C Modernization Experience
10:20–10:40AM CDT
J. Pflugbeil (Framatome, Erlangen, Germany), Christine Bürger (Framatome, Erlangen, Germany), R. Heinesch (Framatome, Erlangen, Germany)
Presented by Taha Andelnaeem (Framatome)
Intelligent Algorithms for Soft Sensing: Current Trends and Future Prospects for Real-Time Digital Twin Systems
10:40–11:00AM CDT
Kazuma Kobayashi (Univ. Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), Farid Ahmed (Univ. Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), Samrendra Roy (Univ. Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), Sajedul Talukder (University of Texas EL Paso), Syed Bahauddin Alam (Univ. Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)
Towards a Policy Framework for Semi-Autonomous, Highly Automated, Remotely Operated(SAHARO) Nuclear Reactors
11:00–11:20AM CDT
Aidan Hallinan (MIT)
Joint Optimization of Nuclear System Inspection and Repair Planning to Reduce Maintenance Cost and Increase System Availability
11:20–11:40AM CDT
Yunfei Zhao (Univ. Maryland), Joseph O'Leary (Univ. Maryland), Mohamed Nassar (Univ. Maryland)
