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Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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DTRA’s advancements in nuclear and radiological detection
A new, more complex nuclear age has begun. Echoing the tensions of the Cold War amid rapidly evolving nuclear and radiological threats, preparedness in the modern age is a contest of scientific innovation. The Research and Development Directorate (RD) at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is charged with winning this contest.
Sunday, November 13
9am - 12pm
UNF-ST&DARDS is being developed to provide the ability to perform automated analysis of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) storage, transportation, and disposal systems. UNF-ST&DARDS provides a database for storing and preserving SNF data and streamlines various analyses using the data from the database for time-dependent characterization of SNF and related systems (e.g., dry storage system). UNF-ST&DARDS allows for modelling the variation of cask payload burnup, enrichments, and cooling times through a flexible GUI. This tutorial will include 1) discussions on various data need for realistic SNF characterizations and demonstration of the data import processes in UNF-ST&DARDS, 2) assembly-specific, time-dependent depletion and decay analyses, 3) as-loaded (using actual cask loading maps) criticality and shielding analyses of currently loaded casks for storage, transportation, and disposal (over disposal time periods), 4) discussion of as-loaded analyses to support licensing/certification of dry SNF systems, 5) misload analysis methodology to support as-loaded criticality analysis, 6) design-basis criticality and shielding analyses using user-defined loading patterns and fuel assembly types, and 7) dry storage loading optimization using UNF-ST&DARDS. The tutorial/demonstration is open to all registered meeting attendees who signed up at the time of registration. Attendees have no requirements to watch the demonstration, however, an RSICC license for UNF-ST&DARDS and SCALE is necessary if they would like to follow along.
1pm - 4pm
This short course will demonstrate a workflow that can support probabilistic safety assessment using the simulation and analysis tools in GDSA Framework. The GDSA Framework tool can help simplify, automate, and replicate the creation and submission of multiple simulation runs in a graphical environment. The presentation will cover three main elements: the GDSA workflow tool which allows one to build and execute an automated workflow, PFLOTRAN for subsurface simulation and groundwater flow and transport modeling, and Dakota for uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. The demonstration will cover the use of sampling methods for uncertainty analysis of a simple PFLOTRAN case study. We will highlight the use of the workflow to set up and launch multiple simulations, along with pre- and post-processing tools for analysis. The format of the class will be two hours of presentation and software demonstrations, followed by an optional hour for people who wish to run the GDSA Framework on a virtual machine. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop if interested in this.
Wednesday, November 16
4:30pm - 6:30pm
START is a web-GIS transportation decision-support tool developed by DOE’s Office of Integrated Waste Management (IWM) to enable visualization and analyses of geospatial data relevant to planning and operating a large-scale spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level radioactive waste transportation system. IWM is using START in a variety of applications, including: 1) assessing modal and routing options and associated risks, 2) evaluating emergency response training needs along routes, 3) providing enhanced stakeholder communication through maps and other visualizations, 4) performing environmental analyses including incident-free and incident-caused SNF transport dose estimates, and 5) supporting the integration of transportation logistics within analyses of the overall waste management system. START’s ease-of-use and flexibility has made it an ideal environment for users to perform “what-if” scenarios and to assess performance tradeoffs associated with various transportation alternatives. Moreover, users can download maps and analysis results as stand-alone graphical, geospatial, or tabular products or for inclusion in other reports or studies. This short course will demonstrate START’s capabilities within the context of presenting the tool’s underlying data and analysis functions, present sample START use-cases, and share information on further enhancements that are under development. Attendees are encouraged to officially register as a START user prior to the course at https://start.energy.gov. Those who choose to do so should bring a laptop to the course so that they can use the tool interactively during the session.
4:30pm - 5:30pm
How can a NWM organization maintain continuity of expertise and capabilities over what could be a decades-long mission? NWM organizations world-wide have realized that preservation of knowledge for their many complex systems is a risk worsened by the long timescales.
A robust knowledge management (KM) program is essential for maintenance of the specialized expertise needed for safety, security, and performance objectives. Key considerations for designing, implementing, and maintaining an effective knowledge management program will be discussed during this session. A demonstration of the DOE-Office of Nuclear Energy KM repository and its NWM Taxonomy will be included in the discussion.
Last modified September 7, 2022, 7:47am MST
