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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.
Chuanfeng Xiang, Haijun Li, Shanxue Xi, Yiyun Zhang, Chunzhi Zhou, Shanqiang Wang, Tao Sun, Xiaoyan Yi, Junxi Wang, Jinmin Li
Nuclear Technology | Volume 211 | Number 7 | July 2025 | Pages 1438-1447
Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2024.2403887
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Utilizing Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD) software, this study determines the optimal thickness and doping concentration for the intrinsic gallium nitride (GaN) layer in a p-i-n GaN diode to improve detection efficiency and reliability. The study examines energy loss and the transient current response induced by alpha and 3H particles within the GaN p-i-n diode. Additionally, TCAD elucidates the transient current behavior arising from electron-hole pair generation, utilizing the Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter SRIM-2013 linear energy transfer distribution as a guide. The simulations disclose that the tailing effect in the transient current response results from radiation-induced hole accumulation. Elevated applied bias results in increased transient current pulse amplitude, attributed to an extended depletion region that boosts carrier collection. These insights are expected to drive advancements in GaN-based neutron detector technology, essential for advancing nuclear and space science applications in the next generation.
