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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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.
T. C. Wiencek, R. F. Domagala, H. R. Thresh
Nuclear Technology | Volume 71 | Number 3 | December 1985 | Pages 608-616
Technical Paper | Material | doi.org/10.13182/NT85-A33683
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Powder metallurgy dispersions of uranium silicides in an aluminum matrix have been developed by the international Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors program as a new generation of proliferation-resistant fuels. A major issue of concern is the compatibility of the fuel with the matrix material and the dimensional stability of this fuel type. A total of 45 miniplate-type fuel plates were annealed at 400°C for up to 1981 h. A data base for the thermal compatibility of unirradiated uranium silicide dispersed in aluminum was established. No tested modification of a standard fuel plate showed any significant reduction in plate swelling. The cause of the thermal growth of silicide fuel plates was determined to be a two-step process: (a) the reaction of the uranium silicide with aluminum to form U(AlSi)3 and (b) the release of hydrogen and subsequent creep and pillowing of the fuel plate.