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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.
Sunday, June 12, 2022|8:00AM–12:00PM PDT
Avila A
Requirements for Attendees: General knowledge of MCNP6
Summary Paragraph: This tutorial focuses on using MCNP6.3 to perform criticality calculations for criticality safety and reactor physics applications and promoting use of MCNP version 6.3 at DOE sites. Lectures provide an overview of Monte Carlo simulation methods and highlight state-of-the-art in criticality simulations, eigenvalue calculations, convergence analysis and bias in k-effective. New features and physics improvements in MCNP6.3 will be covered including adaptive meshing, fission-matrix, accelerated fission convergence of neutron distribution, and new statistical tests for convergence. Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis using Whisper-1.1 will be discussed and calculation examples demonstrated.