Spring 2024 Colloquium Series

April 15, 2024April 12, 2024

Towards Scientific AI for the simulation and optimization of complex systems

DATE/TIME:

MON, 04/15/2024 - 3:00PM TO 4:00PM

LOCATION:

3106 ETCHEVERRY HALL

SPEAKER:
Raphael Pestourie
Professor, Georgia Tech, School of Computational Science and Engineering

Abstract:

Complex systems are hard to simulate and even more difficult to optimize. In this talk, I will showcase how surrogate models accelerate the evaluation of properties of solutions to partial differential equations. I will present a precise definition of the computational benefit of surrogate models and example surrogate models. We will then show how surrogate models can be combined to solve a challenging multiscale problem in optics. We will show that, through a synergistic combination of data-driven methods and direct numerical simulations, surrogate-based models present a data-efficient and physics-enhanced approach to simulating and optimizing complex systems. This approach has the benefit of being interpretable. I will also share ways forward and opportunities for synergistical collaborations.

Bio:

Pestourie is an assistant professor at Georgia Tech in the School of Computational Science and Engineering. He earned his PhD in applied mathematics from Harvard University and pursued his postdoctoral studies in the mathematics department at MIT. His research is dedicated to developing computational methodologies that leverage both data and scientific knowledge to systematically find solutions to engineering problems.

April 8, 2024April 12, 2024

Emission Tomography: From Grayscale to Colorful Images One More Time

DATE/TIME:

MON, 04/08/2024 - 3:00PM TO 4:00PM

LOCATION:

3106 ETCHEVERRY HALL

SPEAKER:

Ling-Jian Meng, Ph.D
Professor
Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering,
Department of Bioengineering, and
Beckman Institute of Advanced Science and Technology,
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
ljmeng@illinois.edu

Abstract:

Nuclear Medicine is a critical element of modern medicine and healthcare practice, in which we use imaging instrumentation and radiopharmaceuticals to study physiological processes, and non-invasively diagnose, stage, and treat diseases. While typical diagnostic nuclear medicine modalities, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), could offer a tremendous sensitivity for detecting molecular changes in deep tissue at physiologically relevant concentrations, their imaging capabilities are confined by the tracer principle, and the mechanically and/or electronically modulated image formation process, and the limitations in the modern detector technologies. Considering that the basic idea of nuclear medicine was first introduced about 100 years ago, it is probably the right time to ask where nuclear medicine would go from here?

In this presentation, we will briefly discuss the current trends in nuclear medicine, such as recent advances in diagnostic imaging instrumentation and emerging radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT). I will follow up to introduce a cluster of R&D efforts at the University of Illinois, ranging from the development of instrumentation for hyperspectral single photon imaging (HSPI) that could potentially transform diagnostic nuclear medicine from monochromatic to multi-color/multi-functional molecular imaging modalities, the development of ultra-low-dose molecular imaging capability based on spectral-temporal-double-coincidence (STDC) techniques, the application of these techniques for developing alpha-particle radiopharmaceutical therapy (α-RPT), to our recent exploration towards X-ray fluorecesnce emission tomography (XFET) of non-radioactive trace metal deep tissue. Through these projects, we have assembled a coherent taskforce aiming to extend the horizon of nuclear medicine and explore the natural interface between diagnostic nuclear medicine and therapeutic intervention for battling cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Bio:

Dr. Meng obtained his Ph.D. degree from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southampton, UK, in 2002. From 2002 to 2006, he has been working in the Department of Radiology and the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, as a Postdoc Fellow and then an Assistant Research Professor. Dr. Meng joined the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in 2006 and is currently a Professor in the Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering, the Department of Bioengineering, and an affiliated member of the Beckman Institute of Advanced Science and Technology. Dr. Meng is also a Visiting Associate Professor at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), an Associate Editor for leading research journals, such as the IEEE Transaction on Medical Imaging (TMI) and Medical Physics, and a former charter member of the NIH Imaging Technology Development (ITD) study session. Dr. Meng’s research is primarily focused on the development of nuclear imaging techniques for biomedical research through numerous NIH-funded projects. His work has also been supported by DOE, NASA, and NRC for developing advanced radiation detectors and imaging systems for astrophysics, environmental, and security applications.

April 1, 2024March 16, 2024

High-field HTS stellarators with liquid metal walls

SPEAKER:

Francesco Volpe

Founder, CEO, CTO Renaissance Fusion

DATE/TIME:

MON, 04/01/2024 - 3:00PM TO 4:00PM

LOCATION:

3106 ETCHEVERRY HALL

Abstract:

French- and Swiss-based startup Renaissance Fusion strives to build a commercial nuclear fusion reactor by reinventing and synergistically combining three main technologies. The first one is the stellarator: more stable and steady state than a tokamak, but historically complicated to build. Renaissance dramatically simplifies its “coil winding surface”. The second technology is High Temperature Superconductors (HTS) generating strong magnetic fields that miniaturize the magnetic fusion device. HTS are scarce and expensive, typically produced in tapes, then stacked into cables and finally wound as 3D stellarator coils. Instead, Renaissance directly deposits HTS on piecewise cylindrical vacuum vessels or other large surfaces. Subsequent laser-engraving imposes specific current patterns, which generate specific 3D magnetic fields. This has several non-fusion applications: from magnet undulators for synchrotrons, to magnets for gyrotrons and magnetic resonance imaging, to energy storage. The third technology consists of liquid metal walls coating the inside of the fusion device and directly facing the plasma. Such walls, based on Li-LiH and 35 cm thick, will shield structural materials and delicate HTS from fusion neutrons, and will breed tritium. In addition, they will flow, to extract heat. Experimental results will be presented for a free-surface flow of GaInSn adhering to the interior of a cylindrical chamber by means of electromagnetic and centrifugal forces, without plasmas. Rescaled for density, the experiment was equivalent to levitating a 120 cm thick layer of Li-LiH. Next steps will be discussed, together with plans for their integration with the HTS technology and, ultimately, the construction of a net-heat, Q >1 stellarator and stellarator power-plant. Optimization results will be presented in the areas of plasma equilibrium, coil forces, economic power-plant sizing and neutron shielding. A remarkably simple Tritium extraction technique will be presented. Research needs, job openings and areas of possible collaboration will also be discussed.

Bio:

Francesco Volpe is a fusion plasma physicist turned entrepreneur. He studied and conducted his research in Italy (Laurea 1998), Germany (PhD 2003), the UK and USA (post-docs ended in 2008). From 2009 to 2019 he held faculty appointments at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and at Columbia University, in New York. Francesco conducted research on all four major magnetic confinement fusion concepts (tokamaks, spherical tokamaks, stellarators and reversed field pinches), making contributions to the physics of Electron Bernstein Waves, avoidance of tokamak disruptions, simplification of stellarators and control of liquid metal walls. He received the 2003 Otto Hahn Medal (thesis prize of the Max Planck Society), the 2011 DOE Early Career Award and the 2015 Excellence in Fusion Engineering Award by Fusion Power Associates. In 2019 he earned an Executive MBA at ESCP Europe and in 2020 he founded one of the first stellarator start-ups in the world: Renaissance Fusion.

March 18, 2024March 6, 2024

eVinci Technology and the Potential of Microreactors

SPEAKER:

Zach McDaniel

Director, Partnerships and Grants

DATE/TIME:

MON, 03/18/2024 - 3:00PM TO 4:00PM

LOCATION:

3106 ETCHEVERRY HALL

Abstract:

Westinghouse is developing the eVinci™ microreactor to revolutionize how cost-competitive, carbon-free energy is delivered. The eVinci microreactor is a 15MW thermal heat pipe reactor capable of generating 5MW of electricity and is designed to run for approximately eight full power years before refueling. This transportable technology simplifies the traditional reactor design and facilitates greatly reduced construction and deployment timelines. This novel technology opens many new global markets to the highly desirable benefits of safe, clean, and reliable energy through nuclear power.

Bio:

Zach McDaniel is the Director for Partnerships and Grants at Westinghouse Electric Company where he works to engage key program stakeholders and partners to expedite product finalization and market entry for the eVinci Microreactor. Zach has held multiple leadership roles at Westinghouse since 2006 including Director of Innovation (Nuclear Technology and Advanced Fuels), Accident Tolerant Fuels Technology Manager, Digital Transformation Portfolio Manager, PWR Fuel Engineering Methods and Innovation Manager, Business Development, and Product Management. He recently worked in collaboration with the US national laboratories and academia through participation on the Department of Energy Consortium for Advanced Simulation Of Light Water Reactors (CASL) Program to advance modelling and simulation tools for industry application, completed a term as on the Executive Committee of the American Nuclear Society Reactor Physics Division, serves on the Purdue University College of Engineering Ethics Advisory Council, and was the sponsor manager working with ENUSA for nuclear energy technology developments. Prior to his positions at Westinghouse, he worked for Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory providing support for the US Naval Fleet. Zach holds a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from Purdue University and an Executive MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.

March 11, 2024April 8, 2024

Chasing the Light: What More We Can Learn from the X-ray and Tissue Interactions

SPEAKER:

Dr. Ke Sheng

Professor and Vice Chair of Medical Physics

Department of Radiation Oncology

DATE/TIME:

MON, 03/11/2024 - 3:00PM TO 4:00PM

LOCATION:

3106 ETCHEVERRY HALL

Abstract:

Traditional medical physics research focuses on the energy deposition of MV X-rays for radiotherapy and attenuation for kV X-ray imaging. Nevertheless, the secondary particles of X-ray tissue interaction carry rich information that should be integrated and utilized. The presentation will discuss the technology, clinical applications, and future developments of two unique and new modalities using these secondary particles.

Bio:

Dr. Ke Sheng graduated from the University of Science and Technology of China with B.S. and M.S. before obtaining his Ph.D. in Medical Physics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 2004. He was then an Assistant and Associate Professor at the University of Virginia. In 2011, Dr. Sheng moved to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he was promoted to Full Professor with Tenure and Director of Physics Research. In 2022, he joined UCSF Radiation Oncology as the Vice Chair of Medical Physics. He has broad research interests in radiotherapy and medical imaging, including treatment planning, optimization, image reconstruction, processing, machine learning, robotics and radiobiology. He was elected Fellow of AAPM in 2016. His research has been supported by NIH, DOE, DOD, and industrial partners. He has published over 180 peer-reviewed papers and mentored over 20 Ph.D. students.

March 4, 2024February 23, 2024

Advanced Reactors Overview at the Idaho National Laboratory

SPEAKER:

Youssef A. Ballout

Division Director, Reactor Systems Design & Analysis

DATE/TIME:

MON, 03/04/2024 - 3:00PM TO 4:00PM

LOCATION:

3106 ETCHEVERRY HALL

Abstract:

Dr. Youssef Ballout will discuss the historical evolution of reactor technology at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Dr. Ballout will also discuss the three microreactors under construction at INL. These microreactors are leading the path forward for allowing the advanced nuclear industry to bring the nuclear reactor technology necessary to fight climate change with energy produced with zero carbon emission. The construction of these reactors will also open the way for the supply chain industry needed by the reactor start up industry.

Bio:

Dr. Youssef Ballout is the Director of Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL’s) Reactor Systems Design & Analysis division. He joined INL in December 2018 as the manager of the Fuel Design and Development Department. Prior to INL, he was the President of Elysium Industries Limited where he was engaged in leading the design and development of a molten chloride salt fast reactor. He also spent twenty-six years at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory (NNL)/Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory where he worked on nuclear reactor design, reactor materials, reactor thermal hydraulics, and rector structural performance. During his career at NNL, Dr. Ballout also managed the Space Structural Materials group in collaboration with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) supporting the design and analysis of the reactor for nuclear propulsion in outer space to explore the icy moons of Jupiter as part of the Jupiter Icy Moon Orbiter (JIMO) project Prometheus. Over his career he worked on reactor design and reactor performance first as an experimentalist, then in modeling and simulation and often both at the same time. In addition to his technical contributions, Dr. Ballout spent many years in engineering and organizational leadership. Early in his career Dr. Ballout was a professor of engineering at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) where he taught engineering materials, design, and programming. He began his university education in Limoges, France, and ultimately received B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. engineering degrees from Wichita State University, Kansas.

February 26, 2024February 23, 2024

Brachytherapy State of the Art and Future Directions

SPEAKER:

J. Adam M. Cunha

Assistant Professor

DATE/TIME:

MON, 02/26/2024 - 3:00PM TO 4:00PM

LOCATION:

3106 ETCHEVERRY HALL

Abstract:

Radiation has been used for the treatment of cancer for over a century. Brachytherapy is a delivery method that introduces radioactive material directly into tumors (vs. using beams of radiation delivered from outside the body). The last decade has seen a period of rapid technological advancement for the clinical practice of brachytherapy that includes developments in robotic needle insertion devices, integrating electro-magnetic tracking technology, and customizing brachytherapy applicators to each individual patient with 3D printing technology. This talk is a snapshot of these recent brachytherapy technological advances and will conclude with a vision of where the field is going in the next 10 years.

Bio:

Dr. Cunha is an Associate Professor in the UCSF Department of Radiation Oncology. And the Director of the Graduate Program in Medical Physics, a joint effort between Radiation Oncology and UC Berkeley’s Department of Nuclear Engineering. He earned his Ph.D. in experimental particle physics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. As a member of the BaBar collaboration, his thesis work explored subatomic particle interactions generated using the GeV-energy electron/positron linear accelerator at SLAC National Laboratory in Palo Alto, CA. Dr. Cunha specializes in all aspects of Brachytherapy including Optimization, Robotics, Electromagnetic (EM) Tracking, and 3D Printing applications.

January 29, 2024February 23, 2024

The Applied Nuclear Physics Program at Lawrence Berkeley Lab: Advancing Radiation Detection Techniques through Coupling with Computer and Robotics Technologies

SPEAKER:

Dr. Brian Quiter

Staff Applied Physicist/Engineer and Deputy Program Head of the Applied Nuclear Physics Program

DATE/TIME:

MON, 01/29/2024 - 3:00PM TO 4:00PM

LOCATION:

3105 ETCHEVERRY HALL

Abstract:

Researchers in the Applied Nuclear Physics (ANP) program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have focused on developing new radiation detectors and radiation detection methods to solve problems related to mitigating the effects of nuclear disasters, preventing nuclear proliferation, enhancing nuclear security, and improving nuclear medicine. The new methods involve inducing and observing more esoteric signatures in a target medium, creating new radiation detectors to provide better information about distributions of radioactive material, and developing software and techniques to take advantage of the additional information these detection systems generate. This talk focuses on combining radiation detectors with robotics technologies to enable Scene Data Fusion (SDF) and the algorithmic work ANP has done to further improve the SDF technique for various applications.

Bio:

Dr. Quiter was educated at the University of California, Berkeley. He received his B.S. in Bio-Nuclear Engineering in 2003, his M.S. in 2005 for work related to the activation of neutrinoless double beta decay relevant materials, and his Ph.D. degree in Nuclear Engineering in 2010. Throughout his schooling, Dr. Quiter studied physics of, instrumentation for, and modeling of problems related to nuclear security applications such as nuclear detection problems, passive and active interrogation of intermodal cargo, pre-and post-detonation nuclear forensics, and nuclear safeguards. His Ph.D. thesis was entitled “Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence for Radioactive Materials Assay”. Dr. Quiter joined LBNL in August of 2010, was promoted to staff scientist in 2014 and Deputy Program Head of the Applied Nuclear Physics program in 2019. He has extensive experience modeling radiation transport and radiation detectors, coupling radiation sensors with robotics technologies, planning and performing radiological measurements in uncontrolled environments, and managing the vast and complicated data that multi-sensor systems can produce. Dr. Quiter leads a research portfolio comprising over a dozen scientists and engineers and maintains collaborations with academia, industry, and numerous other government laboratories.

January 22, 2024February 23, 2024

Constrained Bayesian Optimization of Experiments

SPEAKER:

Daniel Siefman

Assistant Professor

DATE/TIME:

MON, 01/22/2024 - 3:00PM TO 4:00PM

LOCATION:

3105 ETCHEVERRY HALL

Abstract:

Engineering and research projects often involve optimizing a variable with respect to input parameters while respecting a constraint. For example, this might be optimizing the power production of a reactor by changing fuel parameters while maintaining a power peaking factor below a certain threshold. The design process can involve expensive modeling or physical experimentation, where the expense may be a combination of time, cost, manpower, or materials. Constrained Bayesian Optimization is a machine learning framework to optimize an engineered system while minimizing iterations of the resource intensive model or experiment. This seminar introduces the algorithm and shows its application to designing integral experiments for nuclear data validation, criticality safety, and advanced reactor neutronics mockups.

Bio:

Daniel Siefman became an assistant professor in the Nuclear Engineering Department in 2024. His research interests include critical and subcritical experiments and methods, nuclear data validation and adjustment, computational methods in radiation transport, neutron noise, reactor dosimetry, design optimization and safety analysis of nuclear reactors with machine learning, and nuclear power plant decommissioning. Daniel received a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Florida in 2013, masters degrees in Nuclear Engineering from the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and from ETH Zurich in 2015, and a PhD in Nuclear Engineering from EPFL in 2019. From 2019 to 2023, he was a staff scientist in the Nuclear Criticality Safety Division at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory supporting R&D efforts in integral experiments, nuclear data validation, radiation transport, neutron noise, and diagnostics for nuclear emergency response.