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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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Powering the future: How the DOE is fueling nuclear fuel cycle research and development
As global interest in nuclear energy surges, the United States must remain at the forefront of research and development to ensure national energy security, advance nuclear technologies, and promote international cooperation on safety and nonproliferation. A crucial step in achieving this is analyzing how funding and resources are allocated to better understand how to direct future research and development. The Department of Energy has spearheaded this effort by funding hundreds of research projects across the country through the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP). This initiative has empowered dozens of universities to collaborate toward a nuclear-friendly future.
Doan L. Phung
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 90 | Number 4 | August 1985 | Pages 509-520
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE85-A18501
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Light water reactor safety in the United States through the Three Mile Island (TMI) accident is reviewed and safety gains up to 1983 are assessed. The work was undertaken during 1982–1983 to support Alvin Weinberg's “Second Nuclear Era Study.” Safety studies, such as the “Rasmussen Reactor Safety Study,” and accidents, such as TMI, disclosed deficiencies in the design basis accident technique and the lack of attention to human factors, including management. Operational problems also highlighted the fact that reactors grew too quickly in size and number for experience to be factored into designs, operating procedures, and regulations. Actions taken by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and by the industry following TMI are reviewed. Analytical and experimental programs on severe accidents are examined. Safety gains resulting from these activities and from improved quality of operation are assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. It was determined that a factor of 3 to 6 for core melt frequencies and of at least 10 for public risk have been achieved since TMI.