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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Center for Used Fuel Research: Building confidence in storage and transport
Used nuclear fuel storage and transportation have reached a critical juncture.
Dozens of utilities need reliable data on how used nuclear fuel performs in dry storage casks and canisters to extend regulatory licenses at sites across the United States. Likewise, the Department of Energy expects to take ownership of the used nuclear fuel—termed “spent nuclear fuel” in the laws and regulations governing its stewardship—and transfer it to one or more federal staging facilities for management and disposition.
Meanwhile, dozens of reactor companies are testing prototypes of advanced reactors and advanced reactor fuels. Eventually, regulators and industry must also verify the safety and security of storage methods for these advanced fuel types.
To help address these challenges, the DOE established the Center for Used Fuel Research (CUFR) in January 2026 for work related to the long-term storage and transport of used nuclear fuel.
Technical Session
Tuesday, May 9, 2023|10:30AM–12:10PM MDT|Boise Room
Session Chair:
Andrew L. Presby
Session Organizer:
Alternate Chair:
Michael G. Houts
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Reactor Core Geometry Optimization with Application for Centrifugal Nuclear Thermal Rockets
10:30–10:50AM MDT
Mitchell Schroll (Univ. Alabama, Hunstville), Robert Frederick (Univ. Alabama, Hunstville), L. Dale Thomas (Univ. Alabama, Hunstville)
Paper
Modelling Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Reactor Expander Cycle Startup Transients
10:50–11:10AM MDT
Lise Charlot (INL), Sebastian Schunert (INL), Vincent Labouré (INL), Mark DeHart (INL)
Regulatory Approach for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Reactor Systems
11:10–11:30AM MDT
Alexander Pingel (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.), Alexander Foutch (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.), James Werner (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.), Lindsey Holmes (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.)
Developing of Three-Dimensional Bubble Dynamics Model for Centrifugal Nuclear Thermal Propulsion
11:30–11:50AM MDT
Pongkrit Darakorn Na Ayuthya (Univ. Alabama, Huntsville), Jason Cassibry (Univ. Alabama, Hunstville)
Effects of Heat Transfer Coefficient Variation on Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Engine Performance
11:50AM–12:10PM MDT
Daria Nikitaeva (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.), Corey D. Smith (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.), Matthew Duchek (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.)
Attachment — Presentation
