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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.
Technical Session|Testing, Evaluation, and Production Supply Chain
Tuesday, April 28, 2026|8:00–9:20AM EDT|Room 306
Session Chair:
Sara Sumner
Alternate Chair:
Kaitlyn Judd
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Design and Safety Review of MIT Reactor Hydrogen Environment Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Fuel Test Loop
8:00–8:20AM EDT
P. Riley (MIT), N. Cetiner (MIT), A. Seshadri (MIT), D. Carpenter (MIT), K. Shirvan (MIT)
Paper
Preliminary Findings of the Experimental Development Unit Cold Flow Test for a Generation Zero NTP Engine
8:20–8:40AM EDT
Jason Sheth (NASA), Elaine Hatfield (NASA), Aubrey McKelvy (Amentum ESSCA), Eetu Kohtanen (Amentum ESSCA), Roman Sherrod (Amentum ESSCA), Ryan Swanson (BWXT)
Initial Experiments of a CNTP Engine With the Buckeye BUBLERR
8:40–9:00AM EDT
Spencer Christian (Ohio State), Liam Foss (Ohio State), Roshan Robinson (Ohio State), Calvin Chandler (Ohio State), Joshua Naudet (Ohio State), John Horack (Ohio State)
Regulatory Feasibility of Contemporary Atmospheric NTP Testing
9:00–9:20AM EDT
Demir Can Erkiralp (Univ. Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), Loïc Magnan (Univ. Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), Tomasz Kozlowski (Univ. Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)
