Making Sense of Nuclear Infrastructure Risks in Ukraine

Abstract:

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is the first war in which nuclear powerplants and waste management areas have been a major focus of military conflict. In this presentation, we will go over the nuclear infrastructure existing in Ukraine, and describe risks posed by the invasion as well as the damages already incurred. Special attention will be paid to current events at Zaporizhzhia NPP. We will conclude by discussing efforts by UC Berkeley students to provide equipment to colleagues at Ukrainian nuclear facilities.

Bio:

Jake Hecla is a PhD candidate in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley where he holds a Nuclear Science and Security Consortium fellowship. His work focuses on the development of detection technologies for nuclear nonproliferation. Currently, his research focuses on neutrino detection for nonproliferation, and applications of coded-aperture imaging for radiation mapping. He earned an undergraduate degree in nuclear science and engineering from MIT in 2017, where he focused on technologies for arms control and verification. Hecla additionally works as a scientific advisor to Clean Futures Fund, a nonprofit pursuing projects in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.