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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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Latest News
The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
A. R. Raffray, F. Escourbiac, F. J. Fuentes, L. Giancarli, B. Macklin, A. Martin, M. Merola, R. Mitteau, J. Palmer
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 68 | Number 3 | October 2015 | Pages 465-476
Technical Paper | Proceedings of TOFE-2014 | doi.org/10.13182/FST14-945
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The overall programmatic objective of ITER is to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion energy for peaceful purposes. The physics part of this objective (including burning plasma, Q of at least 10 and stationary conditions) seems to be well appreciated by the scientific community internationally. However, there seems to be less of an emphasis on the fusion technology part of the objective, which includes demonstrating the availability and integration of technologies essential for a fusion reactor and testing components including tritium breeding blanket modules for a future reactor. In fact important technology information will be obtained from the design, fabrication and operation of the vacuum vessel and out-of-vessel systems such as magnets, tritium system, cryogenic systems, cooling water systems, and associated safety aspects. In addition, DEMO-relevant information will be obtained from the operation of breeding blanket test modules in ITER. Moreover valuable information applicable to DEMO and beyond will also be obtained in a number of areas linked to in-vessel components. This paper summarizes the DEMO-relevant fusion technology information that will be obtained from ITER with a major focus on the areas linked to in-vessel components.