Titans Of Nuclear | Interviewing World Experts on Nuclear Energy

In this episode we discuss... Bob's background in fusion and personal journey in the nuclear industry Bob's day-to-day as Chief Executive Officer at Commonwealth Fusion Systems Bob's graduate work at MIT researching new technologies to solve fundamental challenges with fusion Superconductors, their applications, and how Bob has significantly contributed to their productization The mechanisms that...

In this episode we discuss... Dennis' background and personal journey in the nuclear industry A deep dive into tokamaks and their innerworkings The definition of a plasma Why heat and density are crucial to successful fusion and the material challenges involved How tritium is extracted from lithium Requirements to prevent coolant itself from becoming radioactive Design challenges surrounding fusio...

In this episode we discuss... Jacopo's background in techno-economic analysis and personal journey in the nuclear industry Jacopo's work at the Idaho National Laboratory before he returned to his alma mater MIT as a professor of nuclear science and engineering Lead-bismuth reactors and the processes within Jacopo's contributions to MIT Energy Initiative's recent report, "The Future of Nuclear Ener...

In this episode we discuss... Mark's background in biology and personal journey in the nuclear industry A behind the scenes look at the Canada Nuclear Laboratory team and how each department coordinates with the others The lifecycle of nuclear plants and Mark's evolution from repairing to decommissioning plants The decommissioning of Rocky Flats Plant, a nuclear weapons production facility that no...

In this episode we discuss... Rosaura's interest in nuclear from a young age and her journey through the industry Rosaura's PhD in material science at McMaster University where she focused on ceramics processing A deep dive into the importance of ceramics processing in regards to creating nuclear fuel Magnetic shape memory alloys Challenges associated with fuel processing and manufacturing and how...

In this episode we discuss... Metin's background in mechanical engineering and personal journey in the nuclear industry A deep dive into CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) reactors The inner mechanisms that cause steam reactor tubes to fail and how we've overcome this issue Metin's work in thermal performance and degradation studies The neutronics and safety systems in PWRs and BDWs versus those in...

In this episode we discuss... Corey's background in nuclear engineering and personal journey from Los Alamos to Canada Nuclear Labs The history of US nuclear including the Nuclear Renaissance and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 Corey's contributions to nuclear startup NuScale Power Challenges in nuclear across India and Asia including infrastructure, training, and corruption Corey's work for an elec...

In this episode we discuss... Kathryn's background in nuclear engineering and personal journey in the nuclear industry The evolution of fusion and a deep dive into liquid metal magnetohydrodynamics Kathryn's work with liquid metal magnetohydrodynamics in the Soviet Union A deep dive into volatilization The Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative aka The Fuel Cycle R&D Program and Kathryn's work optimizing...

In this episode we discuss... Janice Dunn Lee's 40-year journey through nuclear from her position in Export Licensing at the NRC to that of Deputy Director General at the IAEA Janice's early career in Export Licensing at the NRC including her work preventing the weaponization of nuclear materials and reactors through IAEA safeguards The relationship between Congress and the NRC and the ways in whi...

In this episode we discuss... Ed's background in the US Navy and his personal journey in the nuclear industry Ed's work designing nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, and space crafts for the Navy General Dynamics and Huntington Ingalls and their respective roles in nuclear construction Uranium hexafluoride gas reactors and the processes within Nuclear opponents and their negative effects on the...

In this episode we discuss... Jarret's background in journalism and his personal path in the nuclear industry How writing about nuclear has evolved over the last few decades Key policy measures that helped to define the nuclear industry Different nuclear content audiences and stakeholders and their unique communication needs Challenges of writing about nuclear at a private entity Importance of por...

In this episode we discuss... Seth Grae's background in law and personal journey in the nuclear industry The origin of LightBridge and its consultative history Proliferation risk in traditional light water reactors Safeguarding against weaponization of nuclear fuel byproducts Fukushima and its impact on the nuclear industry Challenges that are driving the future focus of LightBridge A deep dive in...

In this episode we discuss... Thomas' personal journey from his position as United States House Committee on Banking and Currency to Ambassador of the US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency Thomas' role in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons The history of Thomas' company Thorium Power (now Lightbridge) and the work he did with Russian nuclear scientists to improve the fuel cycl...

In this episode we discuss... David's work as Director for the U.S. Department of Energy innovation hub, Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors Core design and refiguration of fuel between cycles Influence of temperature on water density and its effect on the reactor Inherent safety of light water reactors PWR and BWR reactors Independent analysis of reactor core design and fue...

In this episode we discuss... Lou's background in fusion and personal journey in the nuclear space Lou's work as the national technical director for molten salt reactors Stellarator versus tokamak plasmas The important roles of neutral beams and pellets Challenges in nuclear fission Uses of hydro reactors in scientific testing    A deep dive into Project Prometheus and space power initiatives The...

In this episode we discuss... Kurt's background in microelectronics and early interest in nuclear energy Kurt's work as a nuclear fuel materials expert at Oak Ridge The importance of modeling in establishing predictive practices The value and role of national labs in driving big innovation within the industry The Transformational Challenge Reactor Program Stagnancy within the nuclear industry and...

In this episode we discuss... Phil's background in nuclear engineering and personal journey in the nuclear field A deep dive into spallation and how it occurs The Spallation Neutron Source The process of conceptualization to commissioning for SPN The evolution of the fusion industry over the last 40 years Requirements and inherent challenges in achieving fusion Different types of pellets and their...

In this episode we discuss... Alan's background in the Navy and personal journey in the nuclear space The role and history of ORNL in the Manhattan Project and across the broader nuclear field Information that can be shared from Navy nuclear experiences to the private sector Characteristics of plutonium 238 and reasons for use The evolution of radioactive waste disposal Alan's work as Associate La...

In this episode we discuss... Larry's background in the Navy and personal journey in the nuclear space Differences between reactors on Navy submarines versus private sector Thermal fatigue monitoring program use in determining maximum cycles Different roles and responsibilities across plant operations The role of quality assurance within a nuclear plant and the responsibilities entailed Difference...

In this episode we discuss... Divittore's background growing up near and working at Three Mile Island Dean's work as Radiation Protection Manager at Exelon Radiation exposure levels of nuclear power plant workers ALARA versus linear thresholds for radiation exposure What is a Geiger counter and how is radiation measured? Areas of a power plant that have radioactive activity What are the sources of...

In this episode we discuss... Trace's background in nuclear engineering at Penn State and his personal journey in the nuclear field Trace's work and responsibilities as a reactor engineer at Calvert Cliffs Exelon's mentorship and training program The processes behind planning and simulating for power maneuvers Spin fuel storage and the processes for managing it A deep dive into start-up testing an...

In this episode we discuss... Nicholas' background in computer science and his introduction to nuclear through the Navy Nicholas' work as a reactor engineer at Calvert Cliffs An electrician's responsibilities on a Navy submarine Variables and strategies for planning where fuel is deployed and how often The Exelon-Constellation merger Power maneuvers and what prompts them A deep dive into peaking f...

In this episode we discuss... Dougherty's background and what led him to the nuclear field A deep dive into the process of taking a submarine reactor critical for the first time Primary, secondary, and electrical subsystems Reactor coolant systems and the role of the relief valve Part 21 process to alert others of a defect or issue with a particular part in a production batch Environmental harmony...

In this episode we discuss...  Mark's background and family history in the nuclear field Mark's work as Site Vice President at Calvert Cliffs The origin and evolution of PRA (Probabilistic Risk Assessment) Differences between two-loop combustion reactors and two-loop Westinghouse reactors Commonalities in auxiliary systems between pressurized water and boiling water reactors Common challenges that...

In this episode we discuss... Bret's background in robotics and his first company Airphrame, an unmanned aerial imaging service Bret's interest in climate and energy and how he came to enter the nuclear industry Stewart Brand's Whole Earth Discipline Dwight Eisenhower's important role in setting the tone for nuclear energy Titans of Nuclear and Bret's mission to positively shape public perception...