ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
Latest Magazine Issues
Jul 2026
Jan 2026
2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2026
Nuclear Technology
August 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
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|Sponsored by FCWMD
Thursday, December 2, 2021|10:00–11:45AM EST |Fairchild
Session Chair:
Amanda M. Bachmann
Session Organizer:
Alternate Chair:
Christina Leggett (Booz Allen Hamilton)
Student Assistant:
Keenan Hoffman
To access the session recording, you must be logged in and registered for the meeting.
Register NowLog In
To access paper attachments, you must be logged in and registered for the meeting.
Path to Sufficient HALEU Availability in U.S. and Canada?
10:05–10:25AM EST
Cyril W. Draffin, Jr. (U.S. Nuclear Industry Council), Jeffery S. Merrifield (Pillsbury Law)
Paper
The Effects of Impurities in Down-Blending Highly Enriched Uranium on the Reactor Neutronics and Cycle Length
10:25–10:45AM EST
Osman Sahin Celikten (NIST Center for Neutron Research), Dagistan Sahin (NIST Center for Neutron Research)
The Molten Uranium Thermal Breeder Reactor (MUTBR): A Consumer of UNF
10:45–11:05AM EST
Neal L. Mann (Neal Mann & Assoc.), Mihai (Mike) G. Pop (AREVA NP)
Safeguarding Thorium-Fueled Reactors: Understanding the Impact of Protactinium
11:05–11:25AM EST
Victoria Davis (Virginia Commonwealth Univ.), Braden Goddard (Virginia Commonwealth Univ.), George W. Hitt (Coastal Carolina Univ.), Claudio Gariazzo (Virginia Commonwealth Univ.)
