Titans Of Nuclear | Interviewing World Experts on Nuclear Energy

In this episode we discuss... Neal's role at the Nuclear Energy Institute and what nuclear energy has to offer to society The importance of having advocates for nuclear energy that communicate the benefits of nuclear energy How to overcome the general public's concerns about nuclear power through education New technologies being used in old power plants to improve efficiency, production, and safet...

In this episode we discuss... The relationship between nuclear power generation efficiency and reaction temperature How nuclear reactor designs plan for long-term material degradation in critical components How the impacts of neutrons on metal lattice structures drive material design How today's nuclear industry is reinvesting in nuclear-related education and research

In this episode we discuss... Why water is the best coolant in any reactor Why molten salt reactors (MSRs) are a safeguard's nightmare How molten salt reactors differ from lightwater reactors Why the Experimental Breeder Reactor II would be the best fuel reprocessing solution How nuclear energy can stop climate change in its tracks Why the mass production of nuclear reactors is the only way to sol...

In this episode we discuss: What a nuclear fuel cycle is and how it is analyzed How a surplus of enriched uranium impacts nuclear fuel prices The connection between high enrichment nuclear fuel and inherent safety features How negative temperature coefficients affect nuclear heat transfer Computational tools for analyzing the nuclear fuel life cycle and transfer methods Costs and benefits of nucle...

In this episode we discuss... Utility-owned design and construction of nuclear reactors The impact of constructability in innovative nuclear reactor designs Challenges of the V.C. Summer nuclear project How to turn nuclear design mistakes into lessons learned for the future Financial challenges of new nuclear technology development, like mPower How generalizing small modular reactor designs affect...

In this episode we discuss... How Paula Maguire worked her way up to become a training manager for Ontario Power Generation The purpose and structure of a utility training organization How collaboration between utility stations can impact a plant's operations and the nuclear industry as a whole How to inspire your utility workforce and maximize their value at the station The importance of leadersh...

In this episode we discuss... How Sean Donnelly was inspired by the dynamic and unique challenges of the nuclear industry How AR can help improve human efficiency in nuclear The important role Kinectrics has played in helping to develop nuclear technology How the U-Battery is revolutionizing the future of nuclear reactors Why triso fuels are the best choice for the U-Battery Kinectrics' hopes to d...

In this episode we discuss... How Doug Jensen's concern for the environment led to his work in nuclear energy Why Doug Jensen believes that nuclear power is the answer to our climate change problems How Cameco has become so specialized at producing zirconium tubing for nuclear fuel Why Improving fuel manufacturing efficiency leads to great benefits for nuclear power plants Why long-term guarantee...

In this episode we discuss... Howard Shearer's background in the nuclear industry before becoming Hitachi Canada's CEO Providing technical solutions to clients with multi-sector collaboration The Future implementation of nuclear technology across sectors Corporate responsibility and the social impacts of nuclear energy deployment How large multinational corporations can support technology developm...

In this episode we discuss... Matthew Mairinger's passion for nuclear engineering and the nuclear industry A deep dive into the North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN) How industry youth groups are influencing the future of nuclear energy Tools developed to educate and prepare the next generation of nuclear engineers The importance of bridging the gap between clean energy industries The...

In this episode we discuss... How Colleen DeMerchant got involved in nuclear insurance Why Fukushima has made nuclear site safety even stronger How nuclear insurance pools work and why they foster important collaboration between insurers How SMRs will diversify nuclear liability coverage in the future Why extending nuclear liability time may raise questions and concerns in the insurance industry H...

In this episode, we discuss... John Barrett's push for Canada to become a leader of clean global nuclear energy How John helps develop verification processes for nuclear disarmament and arms control How John's work in NATO and the Canadian Defense Department has helped safeguard nuclear energy How John uses the skills he gained as a speechwriter to help make nuclear policies more accessible to the...

In this episode we discuss... Zhong He's path to physics and the study of radiation detectors How different materials interact with gamma rays in semiconductor detectors Using electrons and electron whole pairs to determine gamma ray energy The impact of charge trapping in semiconductor detectors Practical application of high precision gamma rays Benefits of radiation imaging compared to radiation...

In this episode we discuss... How Sara Pozzi helped design international nuclear disarmament verification technologies at Oak Ridge The difference between active and passive interrogation in detecting nuclear materials Challenges of detecting nuclear materials smuggled in on container ships What the IAEA is doing to help promote non-proliferation of nuclear weapons around the world Why spent nucle...

In this episode we discuss... Alec Thomas' path to plasma physics at the University of Michigan Challenges of modeling an atom How laser plasma accelerators create energy The interactions between charged particles and plasma wave oscillations Benefits of plasma accelerators compared to high energy physics accelerators The use of titanium-doped sapphire crystals in lasers Plasma technology for medi...

In this episode we discuss... James Duderstadt's beginnings in science and academia and his journey through the nuclear industry James' work on Project Rover, an American project to develop a nuclear thermal rocket Why James believes nuclear energy is a viable answer to reversing climate change How the University of Michigan played a crucial role in the creation of the Internet and pioneered the H...

In this episode, we discuss... How Steven Freel began work in the nuclear industry building nuclear control room simulators Steven's path through the nuclear industry, including his time at startup companies like Singer Link (now GSE Systems) How Steven's unconventional approach to leadership helped spotlight him for CEO of Studsvik Scandpower Ways in which Studsvik Scandpower is changing how fuel...

In this episode we discuss... Joshua Goldstein's background as an environmentalist and politician Sweden's successful build-up of nuclear power and lessons learned from Germany's build-up of renewable power How to normalize nuclear energy by educating the public on its risks and benefits Future global energy demand and the necessity of nuclear energy Promotion of global decarbonization with a nucl...

In this episode we discuss... The renewed enthusiasm by vendors and contractors for nuclear power in the Americas Why public perception needs to improve to make nuclear power a viable option in some areas Advancements in structural analysis techniques allow for more robust plant designs How younger engineers and Puerto Ricans are impacting the nuclear industry in a positive way Why United States n...

In this episode we discuss... Rex's academic background & background at NASA Rex's focus at Teledyne Technologies How Rex transitioned to nuclear BWXT's role supporting US Navy Market innovation at BWXT Technology innovation at BWXT Other clients of BWXT Future of nuclear energy in U.S.

In this episode we discuss... Susan Eisenhower on growing up as the granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower The origins of her fascination with US-Soviet relations How her career began in corporate strategic marketing and took her to arms control and nuclear energy The Megatons to Megawatts Program The benefits of a cross-disciplinary approach to problem-solving How nuclear energy makes the w...

In this episode we discuss... Philip Sharp's entrance into politics and energy policy Significant changes in the energy industry in the 1970s and 80s Environmental regulation vs. economic regulation Sharp's accomplishments in Congress The role of educational institutions such as Harvard in energy The overall role of RFF Sharp's research with RFF The future of energy policy in the US and the world

In this episode we discuss... Lessons learned from the Three-Mile Island accident The importance of information sharing among the nuclear industry to increase safety Refocusing of priorities regarding the NRC's regulatory responsibilities Post 9/11 refocusing on safety and robust engineering Implementing lessons learned from the Fukushima accident Functions of the NRC and reactions to recent event...

In this episode we discuss... Mark Lewis' career trajectory in finance and energy as Head of Global Business Development at General Electric and Chief Business Officer at Tri Alpha Energy Mark Lewis' work acquiring Amersham, Silex, and Hitachi Nuclear Energy for General Electric How Tri Alpha Energy radiation-free fuel path uses hydrogen and boron for nuclear fusion Nuclear fusion efforts to provi...