Abstract:
In this talk, I will describe the ARG-US (meaning watchful guardian) remote monitoring systems technology developed by Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne) under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy Packaging Certification Program, Office of Packaging and Transportation, Office of Environmental Management. Over the past 12 years, Argonne has developed, demonstrated, and deployed two patented technology systems: the smart drum technology and the remote area modular monitoring (RAMM)/TRAVELER, with the goal of enhancing the safety, security, and safeguards (3S) of packaging containing nuclear and other radioactive materials, including spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste during storage, transportation and disposal. Highlights are provided for selected use cases of ARG-US remote monitoring systems in critical facilities, tracking and monitoring nuclear cargos during vehicle and rail shipments, geo-fencing and transport security plan, and a brief discussion of future directions.
About the Speaker:
Yung Y. Liu, ScD, Nuclear Engineering, MIT, is Senior Nuclear Engineer and Manager of the Packaging Certification and Life Cycle Management Group, Decision & Infrastructure Sciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory. He is responsible for managing a portfolio of research and development programs supported by the US Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) programs with industry, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Japan. He interacts frequently with staff at government agencies, industries, other national laboratories, and the IAEA on technical and regulatory issues related to the safety, security, and safeguards of nuclear and other radioactive hazardous materials, including spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste. Dr. Liu has over 35 years of experience as principal investigator, theorist, experimenter, innovator, educator, and manager of various materials and engineering programs related to nuclear fission, fusion, and advanced fossil energy systems. More recently in the last decade, he has been leading the development and applications of the patented ARG-US (“The Watchful Guardian”) radiofrequency identification (RFID)/CommBox, Remote Area Modular Monitoring (RAMM)/TRAVELER systems technology for tracking and monitoring high-risk and high-value materials during storage and transportation, as well as in aging management and application of advanced surveillance technology for extended storage and transportation of spent nuclear fuel.
