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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
Conference on Nuclear Training and Education: A Biennial International Forum (CONTE 2025)
February 3–6, 2025
Amelia Island, FL|Omni Amelia Island Resort
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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State lawmakers across the country push for more nuclear
From lifting moratoriums to launching studies to labeling it as clean, state lawmakers are exploring ways to give nuclear energy a boost in 2025. Here’s a look at some of the pronuclear legislation under review.
Eric Sykes (NWMO), Stefano D. Normani (Univ of Waterloo), Lorrie Fava, Darren Janeczek (MIRARCO)
Proceedings | 16th International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference (IHLRWM 2017) | Charlotte, NC, April 9-13, 2017 | Pages 859-866
The ability to conceptualize and represent uncertainty in the geometry, dimensionality, and parameterization of key geosphere processes is a necessary element in the development of credible geosphere models. In crystalline rock typical of the Canadian Shield, these three-dimensional geosphere models are principally composed of discrete fracture network models and numerical groundwater models, which when combined, form an integrated platform for the on-going synthesis of geosphere data.
Fracture network modelling involves using three-dimensional, geostatistical tools for creating realistic, structurally possible models of fracture zone networks within a geosphere that are based on field data. The fracture network models, by honouring and incorporating available site data, allow for a greater understanding of the geometry and interconnectivity of the fractures in a quantitative manner. MoFrac, based upon the legacy fracture network modelling software FXSIM3D, is a new fracture network modelling tool capable of generating fracture network geometry composed of both stochastic and deterministic features.
The groundwater modelling methodologies applied within this project were developed and tested within the NWMO Geoscience Technical R&D program, and provide a numerical framework to assemble and integrate geosphere data including topography, surface water features, fracture networks, and hydraulic conductivities. These geosphere data, when synthesized into a three-dimensional geosphere conceptual model, form the basis for the integrated groundwater systems models. These models provide a quantitative assessment of suitability and facilitate a full understanding of the influences of geosphere factors such as topography, surface water features, and fracture zone geometry and interconnectedness. The numerical groundwater modelling software HGS was employed for this study.
A representative sub-regional scale test case based upon Canadian Shield data was used in order to demonstrate the modelling workflow. Performance measures include groundwater heads, velocity magnitudes, Mean Life Expectancies (MLEs), and depth of recharge of a surficial tracer.
