Nuclear Engineering Commons^™

Space And Defense Vol. 16 No. 1 Summer 2025 Special Issue On Arctic Security (Whole Issue), Editors Space And Defense

Space and Defense

Articles that cover issues on Artic Security.

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Ai-Driven Uncertainty Quantification & Multi-Physics Approach To Evaluate Cladding Materials In A Microreactor, Alexander Foutch, Kazuma Kobayashi, Ayodeji Babatunde Alajo, Dinesh Kumar, Syed Bahauddin Alam

Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

The pursuit of enhanced nuclear safety has spurred the development of accident-tolerant cladding (ATC) materials for light water reactors (LWRs). This study investigates the potential of repurposing these ATCs in advanced reactor designs, aiming to expedite material development and reduce costs. The research employs a multi-physics approach, encompassing neutronics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and structural mechanics, to evaluate four candidate materials (Haynes 230, Zircaloy-4, FeCrAl, and SiC–SiC) within the context of a high-temperature, sodium-cooled microreactor, exemplified by the Kilopower design. While neutronic simulations revealed negligible power profile variations among the materials, finite element analyses highlighted the superior thermal stability of SiC–SiC …

Isotope Production Modeling In Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactors, Aaron W. Burkhardt

Theses and Dissertations

The accurate prediction of isotopic compositions in Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactors (SFRs) is essential for nuclear forensic analyses and international nuclear treaty monitoring, particularly with the increased global deployment of Generation-IV reactors. This research developed and validated a detailed computational model tailored specifically to the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), employing advanced Monte Carlo neutron transport methods, sophisticated burnup modeling, and variance reduction techniques. Validation against empirical data from the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II confirmed the model’s accuracy, producing a comprehensive database of isotopic compositions across 301 assembly locations and 580 isotopes through the reactor’s initial operation and equilibrium cycle. The model …

Constraining Nuclear Data Uncertainty Requirements For The 19F(A, N)22Na Reaction For Non-Proliferation Applications, Tyler R. M. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the requirements on nuclear data uncertainties needed for the use of the ¹⁹F(α, n)²²Na reaction for nuclear non-proliferation applications. An overview of how neutrons are produced from alpha decays in a UF₆ medium is discussed. Calculation demonstrate the role nuclear data uncertainties effect the neutron yield and energy spectra as a function of enrichment.

Nuclear Energy: The Key To Sustainable Power For Ai And Emerging Technologies, Joshua Luke Ponsell, James Zurawski, Eli Musgrave, Johnny Demont, Eduardo B. Farfan

Symposium of Student Scholars

Skeptics question whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be powered sustainably. Nuclear may just be the best option. AI is transforming various spaces, from cybersecurity to accessibility, by enhancing the detection and prevention of fraud and phishing attacks to improving real-time services like subtitle generation, and supporting language translation. AI's impact also extends to applications like handwriting and speech recognition, streamlining processes and increasing accessibility for individuals with disabilities. As AI becomes more integrated into everyday life, the increasing demand for its computational power raises concerns about energy consumption. By researching datacenter power demands empirically and comparing nuclear options as opposed …

Developing Modular Radiological Containment For The Naval Nuclear Lab, Markus Baur, Eric Franklin, Cameron Ashley, Joshua P. Schlegel

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Design And Characterization Of Radiation-Hardened Gaas Hbt-Based Optical Transceivers, Collin Burt

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Optical transceivers are desirable for their galvanic isolation and natural immunity to electromagnetic interference compared with direct electrical connections. This is true in normal operating environments as well as radiation environments. This work realizes and characterizes GaAs HBT-based optical transceivers across temperature and a range of radiation environments including high dose rate, total ionizing dose, neutron, and heavy ion. The transceiver designs are discussed and specific environmental design considerations are highlighted. Final results for each environment are provided and compared with existing transceivers.

The Effects Of Snow Cover On The Dynamic Pressure Of Nuclear Detonation Blast Waves, Adam Card, Andrew W. Decker

Faculty Publications

Blast pressure is the primary military targeting metric for nuclear weapons. Any local conditions that affect blast pressure have the potential for altering nuclear plans, both from defensive and offensive standpoints. Understanding the impact of snow to the blast wave, therefore, provides a benefit both to military planners and to warfighters on the ground, for any operation occurring in arctic environments. No existing data provides a quantitative description of how snow on the ground affects a nuclear detonation blast wave passing over it. Similar blast waves passing over dust have experimentally proven to enhance blast pressure in a localized region.1 …

Assessing The Feasibility Of Transportable Nuclear Reactors: A Radiological Risk Case Study, Robert John Demuth

Theses and Dissertations

The feasibility of a truly transportable nuclear reactor presents significant radiological challenges that must be addressed to ensure compliance with regulatory limits and operational safety. This study evaluates the radiological constraints associated with the transportability of the Transportable Helium-cooled One-megawatt Reactor (THOR), focusing on neutron activation, shielding performance, and external radiation exposure. Using advanced radiation transport and activation modeling within the SCALE framework, a comprehensive analysis was conducted to quantify dose rates during operation, post-shutdown, and transport. A key aspect of this work involved assessing activation products in core materials, auxiliary components, and surrounding environments to determine their contribution to …

Machine Learning For Reactor Power Monitoring With Limited Labeled Data, C. L. Stewart, B. L. Goldblum, R. G. Abbott, L. Appleby, Brett J. Borghetti, V. Hollingshead, J. H. Whetzel

Faculty Publications

Real-time reactor power monitoring is critical for a variety of nuclear applications, spanning safety, security, operations, and maintenance. While machine learning methods have shown promise in monitoring reactor power levels, there is limited research on their efficacy in label-starved environments. The goal of this work is to assess the feasibility of classifying nuclear reactor power level using multisource data in scenarios with limited labels. Data were collected using low-resolution multisensors at four nuclear reactor facilities: two large research reactors and two TRIGA reactors. Within each pair, one reactor dataset served as the source and the other as the target in …

Hybrid Machine Learning And Comparison Error Minimization For Frequency Domain-Based Rapid State Estimation In Structures Subjected To High-Rate Boundary Change, James Scheppegrell

Theses and Dissertations

Dynamic forces and evolving structural boundary conditions pose challenges for various structural systems such as aircraft, orbital infrastructure, and energy harvesting devices. The design, evaluation, and functionality, of such systems can be aided through the collection and analysis of data. However, real-time decision-making for systems experiencing high-rate changes can pose unique challenges, if assessments are to be made accurately and rapidly enough to be relevant. In cases where the systems are well-defined and thoroughly understood, monitoring the frequency response can be instrumental in determining the state of structures subjected to high-rate structural boundary condition changes. This study focuses on investigating …

Saudi Arabian Universities' Need For A Nuclear Security Educational Textbook: A Systematic Review, Faisal Bin Nasser Sarbaland, Takaaki Sakai

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Nuclear security education is a critical element in ensuring the safe and responsible use of nuclear energy, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia, where the demand for energy is increasing. This systematic review explores the current needs for nuclear security educational materials in Saudi Arabian universities, focusing on the development of a specialized textbook for this purpose. The review addresses the increasing global demand for nuclear security professionals and highlights the gaps in educational resources available in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Using a thematic analysis of existing educational programs and curricula from various international institutions, the paper …

Analysis Of Nuclear Security And Safety Integration Using Survey Responses And Pairwise Comparison Methods, Sheila V. Gbormittah, Theodore A. Thomas, Jason Timothy Harris

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Integrating nuclear security and safety is important for implementing and sustaining nuclear technology because it promises improved and effective management. This integration is an ongoing effort to ensure that both work together with minimal conflicts. This research aimed to determine the preferred level at which nuclear security and nuclear safety integrate by using the pairwise comparison methods of decision-making. This methodology used survey responses from women nuclear professionals to identify the most-desired criteria at three levels: strategic, operational, and cultural. The strategic level includes actions that government officials and regulators can take. The operational level encompasses actions that deliver the …

Characterization Of The Neutron Spectrum Produced By A Pulsed Power Generator, Daniel S. Godlasky

Theses and Dissertations

Neutron time-of-flight, activation foils, and spectral unfolding software were used to characterize the energy and fluence of the neutron spectrum created by the Gamble II pulsed power generator. Gamble II is a pulsed power generator that delivers a 1 MV to 2.2 MV and 800 kA electrical pulse peaking at 50 ns. This electrical release creates deuterium ions in the diode that are accelerated to a neutron converter covered with a novel lithium fluoride or deuterated polyethylene to create primarily ⁷Li(d,n) or D(d,n) and ¹²C(d,n) nuclear reactions. In October 2024, two D(d,n) shots occurred, and in November 2024, …

Measurements Of The Radioisotope Production Cross Section Of 193Ir(N,N')193mIr Between 0.5–9 Mev, Ronnie P. Rera

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis covers a measurements of the radioisotope production cross section of ¹⁹³Ir(n,n′) ^193mIr between 0.5–9 MeV is discussed. The experiment was performed at the University of Notre Dame St.ANA 5U accelerator laboratory. Experimental planning, data collection, analysis, results, and impacts are discussed.

Radiation Assessment And Distribution In Changing Atmospheric Structures And Turbulence (Radcast), Steven B. Hernandez

Theses and Dissertations

The accessibility of materials and online information has made radiological dispersal devices (RDDs) a more probable threat than conventional nuclear weapons. This study analyzed five datasets from three test periods, using a correlation analysis between optical turbulence, aerosol concentration, and environmental parameters, and geometric mean diameter (GMD) calculations. The correlation analysis failed to yield meaningful insights, prompted a transition to the GMD analysis, which produced clearer results. Findings show GMD ranged from 38–41 nm, increasing at night and during neutral events as reduced vertical motion and boundary layer contraction correlated with optical turbulence. An alternative GMD dataset, calculated by the …

Design, Simulation, And Characterization Of A Deuterated Plastic Scintillator For A Portable Neutron Spectrometer, Anders M. Kinney Ii

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the design, simulation, and experimental characterization of a novel deuterated plastic scintillator for portable neutron spectroscopy applications related to homeland security and nuclear non-proliferation. Using Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) simulations and experimental tests with gamma-ray (¹³⁷Cs) and neutron sources (AmBe, ²⁵²Cf), this research shows that deuterium substitution in scintillators significantly enhances pulse shape discrimination (PSD) and neutron energy spectrum unfolding capabilities. Although deuterated scintillators demonstrate reduced overall light output, their higher stopping power and increased ionization quenching lead to superior neutron event differentiation, particularly between (α, n) and spontaneous fission neutrons critical for detecting …

Digital Twin-Centered Hybrid Data-Driven Multi-Stage Deep Learning Framework For Enhanced Nuclear Reactor Power Prediction, James Daniell, Kazuma Kobayashi, Ayodeji Alajo, Syed Bahauddin Alam

Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

The accurate and efficient modeling of nuclear reactor transients is crucial for ensuring safe and optimal reactor operation. Traditional physics-based models, while valuable, can be computationally intensive and may not fully capture the complexities of real-world reactor behavior. This paper introduces a novel hybrid digital twin-focused multi-stage deep learning framework that addresses these limitations, offering a faster and more robust solution for predicting the final steady-state power of reactor transients. By leveraging a combination of feed-forward neural networks with both classification and regression stages, and training on a unique dataset that integrates real-world measurements of reactor power and controls state …

Characterization Of The Microstructural Changes Of Zrb2 Under Heavy Ion Irradiation For Molten Salt Reactor Applications, Narrie Loftus

Masters Theses

A primary challenge in finding suitable materials for Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) lies in identifying those that concurrently exhibit high corrosion resistance, stability at elevated temperatures, resistance to radiation, and chemical compatibility with molten salts. 11B-enriched zirconium diboride (ZrB₂) is a potential candidate for applications in MSRs due to its unique combination of properties, including high melting point, high thermal conductivity, and resistance to corrosion in harsh environments. This ultra-high temperature ceramic (UHTC) has exhibited stability under extreme conditions, making it an attractive material for components within MSRs.

The microstructural response of ZrB₂ under heavy ion irradiation …

Hafnium Oxide-Based Nanoheterostructures For Catalytic Radiosensitization And Enhanced X-Ray Radiotherapy, Marlen Dariela Calix Quezada

Theses and Dissertations

Orthovoltage X-ray beams are attractive for surface and intra-operative radiotherapy. Yet, their clinical utility is constrained by rapid attenuation and the limited dose that can be delivered without harming healthy tissue. High-Z hafnium oxide (HfO₂) nanoparticles can boost local energy deposition through the photoelectric effect, while catalytic surface defects accelerate water radiolysis. Harnessing both mechanisms in a single nano-heterostructure could enable potent radiosensitization at diagnostic-range energies.

This thesis develops and evaluates HfO₂-based nanoheterostructures, both bare and Au-decorated, as catalytic radiosensitizers.

Two types of HfO₂ were evaluated, one was synthesized following a specific route and the …