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Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Seconds Matter: Rethinking Nuclear Facility Security for the Modern Threat Landscape
In today’s rapidly evolving threat environment, nuclear facilities must prioritize speed and precision in their security responses—because in critical moments, every second counts. An early warning system serves as a vital layer of defense, enabling real-time detection of potential intrusions or anomalies before they escalate into full-blown incidents. By providing immediate alerts and actionable intelligence, these systems empower security personnel to respond decisively, minimizing risk to infrastructure, personnel, and the public. The ability to anticipate and intercept threats at the earliest possible stage not only enhances operational resilience but also reinforces public trust in the safety of nuclear operations. Investing in such proactive technologies is no longer optional—it’s essential for modern nuclear security.
Alvin Radkowsky, Alex Galperin
Nuclear Technology | Volume 124 | Number 3 | December 1998 | Pages 215-222
Technical Paper | Fuel Cycle and Management | doi.org/10.13182/NT98-A2921
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The nonproliferative light water thorium technology, also known as RTF (Radkowsky thorium fuel), provides a new approach to light water reactor core design. An RTF core is completely nonproliferative for all practical purposes, provides major reductions in radwaste, reduces fuel cycle cost and consumption of natural uranium, does not require soluble boron control during operation, and is once-through (i.e., does not require reprocessing). The core is made up of multiple seed-blanket units with uranium-zirconium alloy in the seed regions and thorium oxide with ~10% uranium oxide in the blanket regions. A key advantage is that an RTF core has exactly the same control drives and support plates. An RTF core with plutonium substituted for uranium is also optimum for incinerating either weapons- or reactor-grade plutonium, burning at three times the rate obtainable with mixed oxide (MOX). Use of MOX also requires considerable core modifications and produces 60% new plutonium, while RTF core produces none.