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Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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Fusion Science and Technology
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.
Gerald E. Youngblood, David J. Senor, Russell H. Jones
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 45 | Number 4 | June 2004 | Pages 583-591
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST04-A533
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The hierarchical two-layer (H2L) model describes the effective transverse thermal conductivity (keff) of a two-dimensional (2-D) SiCf /SiC composite plate made from stacked and infiltrated woven fabric layers in terms of constituent properties and microstructural and architectural variables. The H2L model includes the effects of fiber-matrix interfacial conductance, high-fiber packing fractions within individual tows, and the nonuniform nature of 2-D fabric/matrix layers that usually include a significant amount of interlayer porosity. Previously, H2L model keff predictions were compared to measured values for two versions of 2-D Hi-NicalonTM/pyrocarbon (PyC)/isothermal chemical vapor infiltration (ICVI)-SiC composite, one with a "thin" (0.11-m) and the other with a "thick" (1.04-m) PyC fiber coating, and for a 2-D TyrannoTM SA/thin PyC/forced flow chemical vapor infiltration SiC composite. In this study, H2L model keff predictions were compared to measured values for a 2-D SiCf /SiC composite made using the ICVI process with Hi-Nicalon type S fabric and a thin PyC fiber coating. The values of keff determined for the latter composite were significantly greater than the keff values determined for the composites made with either the Hi-Nicalon or the Tyranno SA fabrics. Differences in keff values were expected for the different fiber types, but major differences also were due to observed microstructural and architectural variations between the composite systems, and as predicted by the H2L model.
