Titans Of Nuclear | Interviewing World Experts on Nuclear Energy

In this episode we discuss... Richard's background in physics and engineering and his personal journey in the nuclear industry Richard's work at Los Alamos creating codes to calculate ways in which neutrons interact with devices including nuclear and fusion reactors Different groups in which neutrons are categorized depending on their energy range and cross section A deep dive into the Fast Breede...

In this episode we discuss... Kemal's background in thermodynamics and personal evolution in the nuclear industry from Los Alamos to Idaho National Labs A deep dive into the Loss of Coolant Accident Scenario Complete loss of coolant versus partial loss of coolant and the aftermath of both Kemal's research in nuclear fuels and especially light water reactor fuels Kemal's thoughts on the relationshi...

In this episode we discuss... David's personal journey through the nuclear industry from executive vice president of NAC International to president of the US Nuclear Industry Council The history of energy in the US including the Advanced Reactor Program and why it went under Why closing the back end of the fuel cycle is important to worldwide trade in the nuclear sector The origins of the US Nucle...

In this episode we discuss... Paul's personal evolution in the nuclear industry working at Capehurst, Berkeley, and now at the NNL --- A deep dive into nuclear fusion technology --- Japan's reprocessing technology efforts --- Paul's work at the NNL and how he gained the position of CEO --- The inner dynamics of a government and contractor-operated national lab model --- Political, financial, and t...

In this episode we discuss... Ian's background in biology and personal evolution through the nuclear industry --- Economic challenges within the industry --- A deep dive into molten salt fuel and its chemical makeup including uranium chloride --- The efficiency of uranium oxide versus uranium metal --- Why heat can be stored at a large scale while electricity cannot --- Why molten salt reactors ar...

In this episode we discuss... Alastair's personal evolution in the nuclear industry from working with the first Magnox reactor to his position as president at the European Nuclear Society --- A deep dive into the fuel loading process and human factory challenges it poses --- Light water reactors versus gas reactors --- The processes that go into synchronizing turbines to the grid --- The fine-tune...

In this episode we discuss... Andrew's personal evolution in the nuclear and submarine industries --- US naval reactors and the features Andrew helped design --- Information sharing and collaboration between the US and the UK in the nuclear space --- Andrew's work for Rolls-Royce's civil nuclear business developing manufacturing techniques --- The history of the AMRC and all that it contributes to...

In this episode we discuss... Kirsty's interest in the environment and how it led her into the nuclear industry --- A breakdown of climate change's various current and potential consequences --- The science of persuasion in educating the general public on climate change --- Sir David MacKay's book Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air and how it shaped Kirsty's view of nuclear --- Why renewables...

In this episode we discuss... How Sue earned her title of "Dame" --- Sue's background in material science and personal evolution in the nuclear industry --- A deep dive into the UK's Magnox fuel elements --- The history of nuclear in the UK including its advanced gas coal reactors and its high temperature reactor "Dragon" --- The defamation characteristics and manufacturing routes of reactor clads...

In this episode we discuss... Jay's personal evolution from manufacturing to business within the nuclear industry --- A deep dive into neutrology --- Disruptive nuclear techniques and their purpose --- How the AMRC is working to make welding more cost and time efficient with electron beam welding --- The AMRC's disciplines including subtractive and additive techniques as well as the science of mea...

In this episode we discuss Charles' personal evolution in the nuclear industry --- Opinion on the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository in his home state of Nevada --- Forging and its role in nuclear --- Charles' work in quality assurance in the forging industry --- A deep dive into two-phase heat transfer and its processes --- Human factory challenges and ways the AMRC is working to overcome th...

In this episode we discuss... Bill's personal evolution in the nuclear industry, including his work at USNRC and General Director of the NEA --- A history of the NEA and OECD --- Bill's work developing technology programs within the US Department of Energy, including the advanced light water reactor and programs encouraging college students to study nuclear engineering --- The Nuclear Energy Resea...

In this episode we discuss... Milko's personal evolution in the nuclear industry and his work at the International Atomic Energy Agency --- Light water reactors versus pressurized water reactors --- Chernobyl and the design deficiencies that had to be addressed following the accident --- Long term systems for radioactive waste and spent fuel management --- Steps to guiding countries towards becomi...

In this episode we discuss...  David's background in industrial engineering and work at the Idaho National Laboratory --- David's current and future work at IAEA --- A deep dive into different radioactive wastes and the regulations surrounding their management and disposal --- Carbon capture and sequestration --- How our agricultural practices (particularly soil conservation) affects climate chang...

In this episode we discuss... Malcolm's background in psychology --- Malcolm's work in public perception and nuclear politics at the Atomic Energy Authority and beyond --- A summary of Malcolm's books including Civil Nuclear Energy and Double or Quits: The Future of Civil Nuclear Energy --- A look at the relationship between the public, scientific-technical sphere, and political spheres --- The po...

In this episode we discuss... Bernard's personal path through various nuclear institutions including his position as Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Areva A history of the nuclear industry and France's many contributions A deep dive into fusion energy and the processes involved Energy's fundamental role in the world's social and economic development The ins and outs of ITER's research su...

In this episode we discuss... Valerie's diverse educational background and how it applies to her job today Her personal evolution through the nuclear field The French Nuclear Society's research surrounding nuclear and the environment including safety and waste, climate, air pollution, biodiversity, and the use of worldwide resources The unique, symbiotic relationship between the French government...

In this episode, we discuss... Fiona's background and her personal evolution in the nuclear field A deep dive into Boron Neutron Capture Therapy and how it works to treat cancerous tumors A breakdown of NNL and its role in the nuclear field Fiona's outlook on nuclear's development cycle and whether or not it can be expedited District heating and why applying nuclear to heat can increase cost effic...

In this episode, we discuss... - His personal path through various nuclear institutions including Argonne and his current efforts at Nuclear-21 - Nuclear sustainability and the pros and cons of different ways to handle spent fuel - Hurdles including challenges with qualification and supply and market that nuclear must leap to become truly accepted as a sustainable energy option - And where Luc see...

In this episode, we discuss... A deep dive into the economics of nuclear power.   The evolution of the uranium enrichment industry and the processes involved.   Causes behind significant fluctuations in the value of uranium throughout history.   The enrichment capabilities of different countries.   Separative work units and how they apply to enrichment processes.   The necessity for negative biddi...

In this episode, we discuss... Troels' personal evolution and how he came to start Seaborg Technologies.   How Seaborg has advanced to become the largest technical reactor development team beyond Asia.   Compact molten salt reactors and how they work to increase nuclear sustainability.   Troels' optimistic outlook on the future of nuclear technology.   The impact of nuclear energy on both global w...

In this episode, we discuss... Mathijs' inspiration and personal evolution in the nuclear field.   A deep dive into the world-wide energy dilemma.   The economics of natural resources and renewables.   The flawed assumptions surrounding stability of natural resources and renewables.   The disparity between OECD and non-OECD consumption and its potential future implications.   Consumerism's signifi...

In this episode, we discuss... The fields of metallurgy and powder metallurgy.   How the various fields function within the processes of shaping and forging steel.   The molecular interactions involved in creating different types of steel.   3D printing and how it is used to forge materials otherwise difficult to manipulate.  Wade's personal evolution from a student of metallurgy to VTT's Laborato...

In this episode, we discuss... Rauli's blog about oil's unique properties and his interest in the nuclear field.   The concept of Peak Oil and why a dependence on oil is a problem.   Writing "The Climate Gamble" and the three arguments incorporated into the book.   How the distribution of literature about nuclear can clear misconceptions held by others.   Problems in messaging from the nuclear ind...

In this episode, we discuss... Ville's previous misperceptions about nuclear energy and how he overcame them.   Generation 4 and how the new reactors can be more economic, more versatile, and safer.   The Super Critical Water Reactor and the neutronics behind it.   Fuel Behavior Analysis and what exactly it entails.   The Halden Reactor in Norway.   Modeling responses to pressure differentials.  ...