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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
R. M. Hunt, M. Narula, M. A. Ulrickson, T. T. Martin, A. Ying
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 56 | Number 1 | July 2009 | Pages 38-42
ITER | Eighteenth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (Part 1) | doi.org/10.13182/FST09-A8872
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Understanding the manner in which the First Wall Qualification Mockup (FWQM) responds structurally to simulated ITER conditions is important to the establishment of a reliable first wall. This paper provides a thermal and structural response analysis for the first round of qualification tests performed at Sandia National Laboratories. The results display the stresses and strains created in the FWQM as a result of the thermal expansion that occurred when subjected to cyclic heat flux under simulated ITER normal and MARFE conditions. From this structural response, further insight may be gained into the likelihood of fatigue failure of the Beryllium//CuCrZr interface once the first wall is in operation in ITER. While fully determining the reliability of this joint is beyond the scope of this study, some suggestions are made as to how this topic might be addressed with further research. Also investigated are the thermal patterns seen during testing that indicated slight variation from the intended test parameters. It is shown that these disparities from the ideal test parameters do not significantly affect the qualification of the FWQM.