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Division Spotlight
Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
Meeting Spotlight
Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo (UWC 2024)
August 4–7, 2024
Marco Island, FL|JW Marriott Marco Island
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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NRC engineers share their expertise at the University of Puerto Rico
Robert Roche-Rivera and Marcos Rolón-Acevedo are licensed professional engineers who work at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They are also alumni of the University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez (UPRM) and have been sharing their knowledge and experience with students at their alma mater since last year, serving as adjunct professors in the university’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. During the 2023–2024 school year, they each taught two courses: Fundamentals of Nuclear Science and Engineering, and Nuclear Power Plant Engineering.
George M. Jacobsen, Hangbok Choi, James A. Turso, Amanda M. Johnsen, Andrew J. Bascom, Xialu Wei, Eugene A. Olevsky
Nuclear Technology | Volume 208 | Number 1 | January 2022 | Pages 27-36
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2021.1877504
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Zirconium silicide (Zr3Si2) is a heavy reflector material particularly effective for application to a Gas-cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) such as the General Atomics Energy Multiplier Module (EM2) and Fast Modular Reactor (FMR). In this work, the manufacturability of a high-density Zr3Si2 compound, in the Zr3Si2 phase, was investigated using hot-pressing and spark-plasma-sintering methods. The microstructure, composition, and thermal properties of the resulting hot-pressed material were measured, resulting in a 96% relative density and a 96% phase pure material. The thermal properties were consistent with those necessary for use under GFR operating conditions. The structural and dimensional stability of the material was also measured before and after neutron irradiation up to 1017 n/cm2 in the research reactor, resulting in an average linear dimensional change of <0.12%. The preliminary irradiation tests also confirmed the micromechanical stability of the Zr3Si2 phase, with no evidence of microcracking after irradiation. The results of the irradiation tests verify the fabrication method of Zr3Si2 for nuclear applications, but further irradiation tests under high-temperature and high-irradiation conditions will be required to qualify the material for GFR applications.