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Division Spotlight
Mathematics & Computation
Division members promote the advancement of mathematical and computational methods for solving problems arising in all disciplines encompassed by the Society. They place particular emphasis on numerical techniques for efficient computer applications to aid in the dissemination, integration, and proper use of computer codes, including preparation of computational benchmark and development of standards for computing practices, and to encourage the development on new computer codes and broaden their use.
Meeting Spotlight
2021 ANS Winter Meeting and Technology Expo
November 30–December 3, 2021
Washington, DC|Washington Hilton
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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Sep 2021
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
October 2021
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
August 2021
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Matthew Denman: On Probabilistic Risk Assessment
Matthew Denman
Probabilistic risk assessment is a systematic methodology for evaluating risks associated with a complex engineered technology such as nuclear energy. PRA risk is defined in terms of possible detrimental outcomes of an activity or action, and as such, risk is characterized by three quantities: what can go wrong, the likelihood of the problem, and the resulting consequences of the problem.
Matthew Denman is principal engineer for reliability engineering at Kairos Power and the chair of the American Nuclear Society and American Society of Mechanical Engineers Joint Committee on Nuclear Risk Management’s Subcommittee of Standards Development. As a college student at the University of Florida, Denman took a course on PRA but didn’t enjoy it, because he did not see its connection to the nuclear power industry. Later, during his Ph.D. study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, his advisor was Neil Todreas, a well-known thermal hydraulics expert. Todreas was working on a project with George Apostolakis, who would leave MIT to become a commissioner of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The project, “Risk Informing the Design of the Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor,” was a multi-university effort funded through a Department of Energy Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (NERI) grant. Todreas and Apostolakis were joined in this project by a who’s who of nuclear academia, including Andy Kadak (MIT, ANS past president [1999–2000]), Mike Driscoll (MIT), Mike Golay (MIT), Mike Lineberry (Idaho State University, former ANS treasurer), Rich Denning (Ohio State University), and Tunc Aldemir (Ohio State University).
Date: TBD
Contact: Prof. Katrina Groth
The PSA Technical Committee invites applications from graduate students to participate in the first PSA Graduate Research Lightning Round. In this special session, participants will explain their dissertation or thesis research in exactly one slide and three minutes (165-195 seconds). Presentations should include information on the research motivation, methods, data, anticipated results, impact, and stakeholders, sponsors and collaborators). The audience is a technical audience – all researchers focused on various aspects of PSA. PSA experts will judge the presentations and the best presentations in two categories (early-stage research, and late stage-research) will receive recognition at the close of the conference.
Eligible applicants are current graduate students at any stage in their graduate studies and recent graduates within 6 months of graduation. Students are expected to participate in person; a remote option will not be provided. We will adhere to local guidance on distancing practices and other safety protocols for the meeting, you will be updated with all guidance prior to the meeting.
Interested participants should apply to this opportunity by filling out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/NajCoMpbZgwVqFPW7. You will receive a copy of your responses as confirmation that your form has been submitted. If you have any questions, please contact PSA Academic Chair, Prof. Katrina Groth (kgroth@umd.edu) with the subject line “PSA 2021” in the subject line. Participants will be selected by the organizers to ensure a diversity of topics and participant backgrounds.
Last modified July 22, 2021, 3:46pm EDT
