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Division Spotlight
Nuclear Criticality Safety
NCSD provides communication among nuclear criticality safety professionals through the development of standards, the evolution of training methods and materials, the presentation of technical data and procedures, and the creation of specialty publications. In these ways, the division furthers the exchange of technical information on nuclear criticality safety with the ultimate goal of promoting the safe handling of fissionable materials outside reactors.
Meeting Spotlight
Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo (UWC 2024)
August 4–7, 2024
Marco Island, FL|JW Marriott Marco Island
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Jul 2024
Jan 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2024
Nuclear Technology
August 2024
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Taking shape: Fusion energy ecosystems built with public-private partnerships
It’s possible to describe fusion in simple terms: heat and squeeze small atoms to get abundant clean energy. But there’s nothing simple about getting fusion ready for the grid.
Private developers, national lab and university researchers, suppliers, and end users working toward that goal are developing a range of complex technologies to reach fusion temperatures and pressures, confounded by science and technology gaps linked to plasma behavior; materials, diagnostics, and electronics for extreme environments; fuel cycle sustainability; and economics.
13th Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control & Human-Machine Interface Technologies (NPIC&HMIT 2023)
Technical Session|Panel
Tuesday, July 18, 2023|3:15–5:00PM EDT|300B
Session Chairs:
Chris Cook (NRC)
Ted Quinn (Paragon Energy Solutions)
Session Organizers:
The nuclear industry is developing a number of digital systems for application in modernized operating reactors, SMRs, and new/advanced nuclear power reactors. Instrumentation and controls associated with these systems play an important role in the safety and security of these reactors. Increased use of sensors could lead to improved monitoring and diagnostics, with the promise of reducing the need for shiftly surveillance and operator rounds without decreasing safety. Such sensors could also be combined with modern tools such as AI/ML, that hold promise of reducing O&M costs and anticipating issues before turning into costly outages. However, misleading or incorrect data from these same sensors could lead to false confidence or lower reliability during off-normal situations when their information is needed most. Cybersecurity is also a concern, especially if these sensors transmit data wirelessly. Multiple designers and vendors are in various stages of the technology curve extending from cutting-edge research at national laboratories/universities to mature systems that have completed review by a nuclear regulator. This session seeks to discuss perspectives on these research activities, including barriers and challenges to use/licensing, from panelists at all stages along the technology curve. This session will also discuss research activities currently underway, including anticipated research products and development timelines, as well as regulatory research underway in parallel that seeks to develop a solid technical bases to support timely and predictable safety & security reviews when these new systems are submitted to a nuclear regulator for application and use.
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