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Conference Spotlight
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.
October 20, 2021|12:00–12:30PM (1:00–1:30PM EDT)
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This special event highlighted the 2021 Student Conference Pitch Your Research winner, Haozheng Qu. Haozheng is a PhD student in the Department of Materials Engineering at Purdue University, supervised by Prof. Janelle P. Wharry in the Microstructure Science Group. He received his BS in Mechanical Engineering (2018) and MS in Industrial Engineering (2020) at Purdue University. Haozheng delved into his recent materials research: An EBSD analysis of transgranular stress corrosion cracking (TGSCC) propagation in the 304L austenitic stainless steel.
Presenter
Haozheng Qu, Purdue University
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