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.
Bernard R. Bandini, Anthony J. Baratta
Nuclear Technology | Volume 87 | Number 4 | December 1989 | Pages 926-931
Technical Paper | TMI-2: Decontamination and Waste Management / Criticality Safety | doi.org/10.13182/NT89-A27686
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Knowledge of the effective multiplication factor (keff) of variously configured damaged fuel at Three Mile Island Unit 2 (TMI-2) has greatly affected ongoing defueling operations. A recent DOT 4.3 discrete ordinates analysis has extended prior postaccident analyses of keff to “best-estimate”predictions of criticality at several crucial periods during the progression of the accident. Results from the current analysis show that the TMI-2 fuel was most likely in a highly subcritical configuration at all times during the accident. In addition, conservative calculations have shown that during the crucial initial coolant boiloff period of the accident, the conditions necessary for criticality are extremely unlikely.