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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.
Friday, May 1, 2026|8:00AM–12:30PM EDT
University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI)
Pick-up and drop-off for all transportation will take place at the Dayton Convention Center.
Join us for an exclusive post-conference technical tour of the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI)—one of the nation’s premier applied research organizations supporting advanced aerospace, materials, sustainment, and defense technologies.
The tour begins at UDRI Headquarters with a continental breakfast and a strategic overview from the Vice President of UDRI, highlighting the institute’s mission, scale, and role in transitioning advanced technologies from concept to operational reality.
From headquarters, attendees will divide into two groups for in-depth visits to two of UDRI’s flagship facilities:
Sustainment & Readiness – ATTC East River Road Facility (Moraine, OH)
This facility showcases UDRI’s advanced manufacturing and repair capabilities, supporting the sustainment of complex aerospace and defense systems. Visitors will see how cutting-edge repair technologies, additive manufacturing, and process qualification are being applied to extend system life, reduce downtime, and enable rapid response for operational platforms.
Materials & Structures – Shroyer Park Center (Dayton, OH)
This stop focuses on structural engineering, materials characterization, and dynamic testing. Capabilities include ballistic and impact dynamics, structural evaluation, and full-scale testing environments used to understand material behavior under extreme conditions relevant to aerospace, defense, and space systems.
The groups will then round-robin to ensure all participants experience both facilities. The tour concludes back at UDRI Headquarters with an informal discussion.
* Price includes transportation and breakfast.
