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2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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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.
Duncan W. MacArthur, Krag S. Allander, John A. Bounds, J. Lee McAtee
Nuclear Technology | Volume 102 | Number 2 | May 1993 | Pages 270-276
Technical Paper | Radiation Protection | doi.org/10.13182/NT93-A34822
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Traditional alpha-particle contamination monitors are limited in usefulness because of the short range of alpha particles in air. This range limitation makes it impossible to adequately monitor for alpha-particle contamination on uneven surfaces and inside equipment. Personnel must be scanned manually, a procedure that is comparatively uncertain. The long-range alpha detector eliminates many of the difficulties associated with equipment and personnel monitoring by detecting the ions produced by the alpha particles interaction with the air, rather than detecting the alpha particle itself. The personnel and equipment monitors are described in detail, and other potential applications are suggested.