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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.
Warren F. Witzig, Ross T. Thomas
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 69 | Number 2 | February 1979 | Pages 251-263
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE79-A20615
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Multidimensional linear regression analysis is employed as a modeling technique for the prediction of boiling water reactor (BWR) shutdown margin reactivity. A comparison is made between the best models developed using regression analysis and the General Electric (GE) three-dimensional BWR core simulator code. The GE code is based on one-group diffusion theory, and its accuracy is verified by comparison with experimental data. One use of this code is the calculation of shutdown margin throughout a fuel cycle, but it requires a large computing facility not located at a reactor site. The regression models give an approximation of a core's shutdown margin based on current core physics parameters. The method can be utilized at a BWR plant site to provide information demonstrating compliance with license and technical specification requirements. The results obtained by regression predictions for the two cores studied compare favorably with current industry methods. After establishing a regression model, predictions can be made at a reactor site using a pocket calculator.