Delilah Catron

February 24, 2023March 9, 2023

Design of the first fusion laboratory experiment to achieve target gain

SPEAKER:

Dr. Andrea (Annie) Kritcher

Team lead in the Inertial Confinement Fusion program and Group leader in Design Physics

DATE/TIME:

FRI, 02/24/2023 - 11:00AM TO 12:00PM

LOCATION:

3105 ETCHEVERRY HALL

Spring 2023 Colloquium Series

The inertial fusion community have been working towards ignition for decades, since the idea of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) was first proposed by Nuckolls, et al., in 1972. On August 8, 2021 and Dec 5th 2022,the Lawson criterion for ignition was met and more fusion energy was created than laser energy incident on the target at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in Northern California. The first experiment produced a fusion yield of 1.35 MJ from 1.9 MJ of laserenergy and appears to have crossed the tipping-point of thermodynamic instability according to several ignition metrics. Building on this result, improvements were made to increase the fusion energy output to >3MJ from 2.05 MJ of laser energy on target, resulting in target gain exceeding unity for the first time in the laboratory. This result is important in that it proves that there is nothing fundamentally limiting controlled fusion energy gain in the laboratory.

Dr. Andrea (Annie) Kritcher is the principle designer for the first ever fusion ignition experiment in a laboratory at the National Ignition Facility in Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and is the team lead for integrated modeling within the Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) leadership team at LLNL. Annie received her BS from the University of Michigan Nuclear Engineering department in 2005, and MS and PhD from the UC Berkeley Nuclear Engineering department in 2007 and 2009, and is a fellow of the American Physical Society (APS). Annie was first employed at the Lab as a summer intern in 2004, as an LLNL Lawrence Scholar during her time at UC Berkeley, as a Lawrence postdoctoral fellow in 2009 following completion of her Ph.D from UC Berkeley, and as technical staff in 2012.

Webinar Link

https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/97239764948

Webinar ID: 972 3976 4948

February 3, 2023March 6, 2023

Managing Operational Risk in Nuclear Facilities with TensorFlow

SPEAKER:

William Zywiec

Staff Scientist and Group Leader in the Nuclear Criticality Safety Division at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

DATE/TIME:

FRI, 02/03/2018 - 3:00PM TO 4:00PM

LOCATION:

3105 Etcheverry

Abstract:

Since the discovery of fission and subsequent first criticality of Chicago Pile-1, more than 60 criticality accidents have occurred throughout the world. These accidents are divided into two categories: those that occur during critical experiments or operations with nuclear reactors, and those that occur in production facilities, more commonly referred to as process criticality accidents. I will provide a brief overview of a few historical process criticality accidents and near misses that have occurred in the United States, and then I’ll discuss ongoing research that is being done to develop and implement machine learning tools to assess and manage operational risk in modern nuclear facilities. I’ll wrap up the presentation by discussing the overlap between nuclear criticality safety and emergency response.

Bio:

William Zywiec is a Staff Scientist and Group Leader in the Nuclear Criticality Safety Division at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He currently leads several projects in California and Nevada that focus on radiation detection, nuclear threat assessment, and characterization of special nuclear material hold-up. He has a PhD in Systems Engineering from George Washington University, an MSE in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and a BS in Nuclear Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Watch here

Webinar ID 972 3976 4948

January 27, 2023March 6, 2023

High-fidelity continuum kinetic simulations – a frontier in plasma modeling

SPEAKER:

Genia Vogman

Computational Scientist

DATE/TIME:

FRI, 01/27/2018 - 3:00PM TO 4:00PM

LOCATION:

3105 ETCHEVERRY HALL

Abstract:

Plasma, the fourth state of matter, is an important medium in space physics and fusion energy applications. Its unique multi-scale properties give rise to complex behavior that is difficult to predict. In regimes where plasma particles collide infrequently, commonly used magnetohydrodynamic descriptions fail and kinetic physics of particle-particle and particle-wave interactions dictates dynamics. Motivated by pulsed power inertial confinement fusion experiments, this work leverages cutting-edge noise-free high-order continuum kinetic simulations to explore how microphysics affects macroscopic plasma behavior. The first-principles theoretical and computational investigation sheds light on how gyromotion modifies instabilities driven by velocity shear and how microturbulence and associated changes in velocity-space distribution functions give rise to macroscopic transport phenomena of resistivity and heating.

Bio:

Genia Vogman is a computational scientist in the Center for Applied Scientific Computing at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Her research is focused on development and application of continuum kinetic simulations for plasma physics. Her work explores the properties of low-density plasmas in magnetized environments relevant to pulsed power inertial confinement fusion. Genia holds a BS in aerospace engineering and a BA in mathematics from the University of Washington. She earned her Ph.D. in Applied Science and Technology at UC Berkeley. She was a recipient of the Berkeley Chancellor Fellowship, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Fellowship, and the Lawrence Postdoctoral Fellowship.

**This talk will NOT be recorded but you can watch live here**

Webinar ID: 972 3976 4948**

December 2, 2022

UCBNE Alum Joey Kabel named on Forbes 30 under 30

December 1st, 2022

UC Berkeley Nuclear Engineering alum Joey Kabel (MS '17, PhD '20) has been named on the 2022 Forbes 30 under 30 - Energy list for his work with startup Electrified Thermal.

"At Electrified Thermal, Kabel is on a mission to decarbonize industry with renewable heat. The startup is building the Joule Hive thermal battery: an energy storage technology that converts and stores cheap, renewable electricity as high-temperature heat. Its patented technology revolutionizes the durability of affordable electric heating to deliver flame-temperatures to any process. It has raised $5.5 million in funding from government and venture capital sources since incorporating in April 2021." (Forbes)

November 18, 2022March 9, 2023

Multi-scale modeling of Radiation Therapy – Bridging the gap from Physics to Biology

SPEAKER:

Jan Schuemann, Ph.D. (he/him/his)

Associate Professor
Associate Director of Physics Research
Head of the Multi-scale Monte-Carlo Modeling Lab

DATE/TIME:

FRI, 11/18/2022 - 3:00PM TO 4:00PM

LOCATION:

Zoom

Abstract:
Modeling approaches offer a strong tool to understand mechanisms of complex processes, allowing us to probe correlations that are not accessible with experimental techniques. My lab uses the Monte Carlo method to investigate the effects of radiation on tissue at multiple scales. We try to understand how initial physics processes at the DNA scale can result in cell damage and repair. We then try to apply our models to investigate outcome of different therapies with the goal to find the best treatments design for, for example, external beam therapy, FLASH therapy or radiopharmaceutical therapy.

Here are a few facts about me:
– 2000 masters in high energy Physics at HERA, Hamburg, Germany
– 2000-2005 PhD at National Taiwan University studying CP-Violations at Belle, KEK, Japan (PhD)
– 2005 postdoc in Taiwan
– 2006 postdoc with JSPS / Alexander v. Humboldt scholarship at Belle
– 2008 Project researcher at the Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (IPMU) at Tokyo University, studying neutrions
– 2010 postdoc at MGH
– 2013 instructor
– 2015 Assist. Prof
– 2019 Assoc. Prof
– Current VP of the Radiation Research Society

Research focussed on
– multi-disciplinary research
– multi-scale MC simulations
– understanding cell scale effects
– FLASH-RT – combining in vivo, in vitro, in silico

Webinar ID 986 1256 7590

November 4, 2022March 9, 2023

Safe Enough? The History of Probabilistic Risk Assessment and Nuclear Safety.

SPEAKER:

Thomas Wellock

Historian

DATE/TIME:

FRI, 11/04/2022 - 3:00PM TO 4:00PM

LOCATION:

3105 Etcheverry Hall

Abstract: Since the dawn of the Atomic Age, nuclear experts have confronted a deceptively simple question: When is a reactor “safe enough” to adequately protect the public? And, for 70 years, they have pursued a deceptively simple answer that quantified the probability of a major reactor accident. In his presentation, Tom Wellock will discuss the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission’s decision to develop the controversial Reactor Safety Study, the world’s first Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA), and its influence on safety regulation.

Biography: Thomas Wellock is the historian at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He is the author of Safe Enough? A History of Nuclear Power and Accident Risk (University of California Press, 2021) and two other books on the history of nuclear power and environmentalism. He was also a professor of U.S. history, earned his Ph.D. in history from the University of California, Berkeley, and, prior to his midlife crisis, worked as a reactor test engineer at the Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, CT and a systems engineer at the Davis-Besse nuclear power station near Toledo, OH.

September 21, 2022September 21, 2022

Peter Hosemann Lead PI of a New Fusion Energy Science Award

September 21st, 2022

Professor Peter Hosemann is the lead PI of a new Fusion Energy Science award entitled "Measuring, Modeling and Managing Radiation Effects in High Helium Fusion Relevant Environments" in collaboration between UCB and UCSB. The team will investigate structural material for fusion applications in the years to come. The coupled extremes of radiation, stress, temperature pose a unique challenge in realizing fusion power. The focus will be in understanding the materials degradation mechanism and enhance predictive capabilities for materials in fusion applications. Small scale mechanical testing coupled with microstructural analysis and modeling on ion beam and neutron irradiated materials will be a core element of the work.

September 14, 2022September 14, 2022

UCBNE Graduate Students Send Equipment and Expertise to Ransacked Chernobyl

September 14th, 2022

3D visualization of the residual radiation in the town of Pripyat. (Reconstruction by Kalie Knecht, UCBNE graduate student )

A recent article published in BerkeleyNews describes the contribution of UCBNE graduate students Jake Hecla, Michael Bondin, and others to the relief efforts at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, including refurbishing and sending critical equipment. UCBNE work at Chernoybl dates back many years and includes the use of technology to visualize radiation levels and contamination.

Further coverage can be found here.

September 9, 2022September 9, 2022

Graduate Student Sarah Stevenson Awarded ANS Congressional Fellowship

September 8th, 2022

UCBNE Ph.D. candidate Sarah Stevenson has been selected for the 2023 ANS Glenn T. Seaborg Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship. For the first time in the history of the fellowship, two memebrs have been chosen, Stevenson alongside GE-Hitach Joseph Orellana.

Harsh S. Desai, chair of the ANS Congressional Fellowship Committee and a former Congressional Fellow says "With two Fellows on the Hill next year, ANS will be in a unique position to provide significant technical assistance to the U.S. Congress on nuclear science, energy, and technology . With the increased focus on clean energy deployment and ensuring domestic energy security in Washington, D.C., Stevenson and Orellana’s different perspectives from their industry, academia, and national lab experiences will be invaluable."

Further coverage can be found here.

July 29, 2022

Kairos Power Commissions Fluoride Salt Purification Plant

July 20th, 2022

Kairos Power in conjunction with Materion Corporation, designed a molten salt purification plant that has just been commissioned at Materion’s campus in Ohio because Kairos Power requires a source of high-purity fluoride salt for testing in its molten salt reactor design, as well as to serve as the coolant in its grid-scale fluoride salt–cooled, high-temperature reactor.

Find out more here.