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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|Technology Research and Development
Thursday, April 30, 2026|2:00–3:20PM EDT|Room 306
Session Chair:
Allen Guzik
Alternate Chair:
Chris Venturella
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Unusual Chemical Reduction of Np Through Addition of Oxalic Acid
2:00–2:06PM EDT
Sara E. Gilson (Young Members Group), Connor J. Parker (ORNL), Kathryn M. Lawson (ORNL)
Paper
Comparative Morphology of Neptunium Dioxide: Implications of Synthesis Route
2:06–2:12PM EDT
Kathryn M. Lawson (ORNL), Sara E. Gilson (Young Members Group), Chris J. Dye (ORNL), Connor J. Parker (ORNL)
Thermal Decomposition of Neptunium Peroxides
2:12–2:18PM EDT
Christopher J. Dye (ORNL), Kathryn M. Lawson (ORNL)
From Chemistry to Performance: Understanding Sol–Gel Fuel Development for Radioisotope Heat Sources
2:18–2:24PM EDT
Ekaterina A. Dolgopolova (Zeno Power), Hilary A. Fitzgerald (Zeno Power)
A Digital Microfluidics Platform for Automated Pu-238 Analytics
2:24–2:30PM EDT
Neil Taylor (ORNL), Lauren Hoekstra (Univ. Tennessee, Knoxville), Colin Patricelli (Univ. Tennessee, Knoxville), Jisue Moon (ORNL), Ben Roach (ORNL), Kristian Myhre (ORNL)
Advancing Lunar Missions with Next-Generation Radioisotope Power Systems
2:30–2:36PM EDT
Lindsey Boles (Zeno Power)
Presented by Sarah Kyne (Zeno Power)
Industrial Manufacturing Process of AmO2 Powder from a Pu Solution
2:36–2:42PM EDT
Thierry Prevost (Orano Recycling), Mohamed Barhi (Orano Recycling), Charles Brachon (Orano Recycling)
F5 GPHS RTG: Return to the Future Thermal Vacuum Testing 1985 and 1995
2:42–2:48PM EDT
Boyd Allen Tolson (Univ. Dayton), Kenton Sherick (Univ. Dayton), Chadwick Barklay (Univ. Dayton)
Tritium RHUs and Power Sources for the Lunar Surface
2:48–2:54PM EDT
Mark Stone (City Labs), James Cabauy (City Labs), Johann Hernandez (City Labs), Krystine Pimentel (City Labs), Jesse Grant (City Labs)
Maturing the European Radioisotope Dynamic Generator (RDG) for Enhanced Reliability and Multi-Mission Capability
2:54–3:00PM EDT
Mihails Scepanskis (Deep Space Energy), Janis Priede (Deep Space Energy)