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Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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Mar 2026
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
April 2026
Nuclear Technology
February 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Going Nuclear: Notes from the officially unofficial book tour
I work in the analytical labs at one of Europe’s oldest and largest nuclear sites: Sellafield, in northwestern England. I spend my days at the fume hood front, pipette in one hand and radiation probe in the other (and dosimeter pinned to my chest, of course). Outside the lab, I have a second job: I moonlight as a writer and public speaker. My new popular science book—Going Nuclear: How the Atom Will Save the World—came out last summer, and it feels like my life has been running at full power ever since.
Technical Session|Panel|Sponsored by HFICD
Tuesday, November 14, 2023|3:15–5:00PM EST|Georgetown West
Session Chair:
Syed Bahauddin Alam (Univ. Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)
Session Organizer:
Vivek Agarwal (Idaho National Lab)
The continued safe and efficient operation of nuclear power plants (NPPs) is crucial for meeting the energy demands of a growing population while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As nuclear plants age, the management and modernization of critical assets become increasingly complex and vital. This complexity underscores the pressing need for innovative technologies that can address the unique challenges of nuclear plant asset management. Aligned with the DOE's mission to ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges, this panel aims to explore the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)-driven Digital Twin (DT) into Nuclear Plant Asset Management & Modernization. The focus will be on both technological advancements and the economic implications of these innovations while considering the aspects below: 1. Predictive Maintenance & Degradation Monitoring 2. Integration of Heterogeneous Data Sources and interpretability 3. Economic Optimization: Return on Investment 4. Compliance and Regulatory Considerations 5. Collaborative Strategies with DOE This panel aims to bridge the gap between technological innovation and practical implementation, offering a comprehensive view of how AI/ML/DT can revolutionize nuclear plant asset management. By fostering dialogue between industry experts, policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders, we hope to set the stage for a new era of efficiency, safety, and economic viability in nuclear plant management.
Vivek Agarwal
INL
Richard Vilim
Argonne National lab
Raj Iyengar
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
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