Spring 2020 Colloquium

Abstract: Plasma waves can support extremely large accelerating fields, several orders of magnitude greater than conventional accelerators. Hence they can provide a compact method of generating energetic charged particle beams.  Plasma waves suitable for particle acceleration may be resonantly excited using the radiation pressure from intense, high-power, ultrashort laser pulses.  Laser-driven plasma accelerator experiments at …

The Nuclear Engineering Department Presents, "Chernobyl" a panel discussion on HBO's 2019 miniseries featuring: Mark Sandberg Ph.D., Jason T. Harris Ph.D., Jean L. Nakamura M.D., Alexei Yurchak Ph.D., and Massimiliano Fratoni Ph.D.

Abstract: I will describe research at Los Alamos National Laboratory that is advancing our US nuclear technology capabilities. Some of the applied areas we are working on are described: stockpile stewardship, and nuclear threat reduction. Experimental and simulation work related to our Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) facility and our work at the Nevada Test Site are discussed.   Bio: Mark Chadwick obtained his PhD …

Abstract: Advanced modeling and simulation tools have been under development at national laboratories, universities and research institutes around the world.  These tools have progressed to a point where a new reactor type can benefit from them and shed the baggage of legacy tools.  The challenges are taking these tools that have been the primary focus …

Abstract: In 2017 and 2018, NA-22 sponsored a project to host data competitions to solicit innovative solutions for urban radiation detection problems. A team from Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, and Berkeley National Laboratories fielded and hosted two competitions. The first was restricted to those with a government affiliation, while the second was hosted on Topcoder …

Abstract: We all (I hope) want to use our careers to make a difference. This talk will walk through one example of how that might look and lead into a broader discussion of how one could use a highly technical nuclear engineering education to have an impact. I’ll talk a bit about computational neutronics, nuclear …

Abstract: Biomedical imaging modalities that rely on x-ray and gamma-ray interactions in biological objects and radiation detectors present potential risk of radiation-related complications. In many cases, imaging using ionizing radiation is essential to detect and monitor human diseases; however there is no established consensus about how to maximize the use of ionizing radiation. Smart use …

Abstract: Fluoride-salt cooled, high-temperature reactors (FHRs) combine existing technologies in a novel way, using high-temperature fuels from gas-cooled reactors with a low-pressure molten salt coolant.  In the last decade, U.S. national laboratories and universities have addressed key scientific and technical questions for the licensing and deployment of FHRs, and have developed pre-conceptual FHR designs with …

Abstract: Environmental concerns – mainly associated with nuclear waste and nuclear accidents – have been one of the biggest bottlenecks for nuclear energy. At the same time, the society has been struggling to assess these risks relative to other hazardous waste, other pollution and climate change. In the US, there are more than a hundred sites used for …