2020 Nuclear Engineering virtual summer series for students & STEM teachers
DATE: July 20-24, 2020 at 10:00 am & 1:00 pm each day; 75-minute Zoom sessions
Presenters: NC State Nuclear Engineering faculty, professional staff, graduate & undergraduate students
Audience: High school rising grade 11 & 12, graduated seniors & community college, first year college students, pre-college STEM educators
No fee to participate but you MUST be registered to participate.
REGISTER HERE for the week.
Registration closes 07/17; details for logging will be sent.
Questions —
Lisa Marshall, Director of Outreach, Retention & Engagement | Lecturer | Adviser
lisa.marshall@ncsu.edu
919.515.5876 w. 919.757.2289 c.
Monday 7/20 @ 10:00 am
Nuclear Engineering Unplugged
Overview of the week, nuclear grand challenges & hear from current students about their academic path, research & summer internships.
Monday 7/20 @ 1:00 pm
PULSTAR Internet Reactor Laboratory
NC State’s current research reactor is used for teaching, research and service. The internet reactor allows national and international organizations to collect real time data. This session will take you into the world of an operating reactor & includes a virtual tour of the facility.
Tuesday 7/21 @ 10:00 am
Modern Applications of Nuclear Technology
Since the development of the first nuclear reactor design by Enrico Fermi in 1942, nuclear technology has advanced tremendously. Modern day reactors demonstrate cutting edge research through design and safety in numerous areas with limitless applications. This presentation will focus on reviewing such advanced nuclear reactors including liquid metal-cooled reactors, micro-reactors, and nuclear-powered spaceships for galactic missions, to name a few.
Tuesday 7/21 @ 1:00 pm
Radiation Detection Prep 1 of 3
In a lead up to Friday’s Domestic Radiation Detection, attendees will have to become familiar with concepts & equipment. On day 1 we cover atomic physics theory. You will also be downloading a smart phone app (will cost you $5 at your smartphone store) and given instructions.
HOMEWORK readings –
1. Discussing on Wednesday: Contributions of Various Radiological Sources to Background in a Suburban Environment by Richard D. Milvenan & Robert B. Hayes.
2. Discussing on Thursday: Nuclear Energy myths, facts and future by Robert Bruce Hayes
Wednesday 7/23 @ 10:00 am
Plasma – the new all-purpose tool in medicine?
Plasma Agriculture – Fertilizer of the Future
Part 1: Plasma, the 4th state of matter, is everywhere! More than 99% of the universe is comprised of plasma and we would not have cell phones without the plasma that is used in the semiconductor industry. Plasma medicine is a relatively new area of research and plasma is explored for the treatment of chronic wounds and cancer therapy. We will explore what it is that makes plasmas so versatile and how it can be used to treat various diseases.
Part 2: When plasma is ignited in air, the nitrogen and oxygen molecules are dissociated and form, for example, NO. If the plasma is in contact with water, the nitrogen and its oxidized forms can be fixed into the water and act as N fertilizer for plants. With water, air, and electricity, fertilizer can be produced on-site and on demand, based on the plant’s needs. A new project at NC State within the Plant Science Initiative explores the use of plasma combined with soil sensor technology to develop the “fertilizer of the future” with irrigation and fertilization on demand. We will discover the possibilities plasmas offer for the use in agriculture and learn more about the impact plasma has on plants, from seeds to crops.
Wednesday 07/23 @ 1:00 pm
Radiation Detection Prep 2 of 3
Prep day #2 will continue with instructions on smartphone data collection and how to take household measurements.
Reminder, HOMEWORK readings
1. Discussing today: Contributions of Various Radiological Sources to Background in a Suburban Environment by Richard D. Milvenan & Robert B. Hayes.
2. Discussing on Thursday: Nuclear Energy myths, facts and future by Robert Bruce Hayes
Thursday 07/23 @ 10:00 am
From Nuclear Fusion to Computer Chips – how plasma physics makes your iPhone a reality
Although plasmas are typically associated with extreme conditions such as nuclear fusion reactors and stars, there are many industrial applications that take advantage of the unique properties of plasmas to manufacture many of the products that we use every day. Electronic devices such as computers and cell phones are two examples. In this talk, we will explain some of the concepts that drive electronic device design and show why plasmas are vital in manufacturing high performance electronic components.
Thursday 07/23 @ 10:00 am
Radiation Detection Prep 3 of 3
We have data, the ‘now what’ session…the interpretation of radiation measurements.
Reminder,
1. Discussing on today: Nuclear Energy myths, facts and future by Robert Bruce Hayes
Friday 07/24 @ 10:00 am
Domestic Radiation Detection
Discussion of results, analysis and concepts in statistics and how these apply these to measurement and inferences obtained from the domestic radiation survey campaign now completed by students. Future projects students can conduct on their own and general discussion about future career prospects for those with interest.
Friday 07/24 @ 1:00 pm
Week’s Wrap Up
Answer questions on the week’s topics, major (e.g. funding the degree, double major, minors, application process). A free style discussion on nuclear careers with young alumni (power production, engineering firms, nuclear submarine & aircraft building/servicing, graduate studies, fusion, etc).
From left to right
Harsh Desai, Senior Manager, Policy & Strategy Development, Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)
Ciara Rice, Shift Test Engineer Candidate at Newport News Shipbuilding
Amber Tuck, Shift Test Supervisor, NAVSEA-NNSY
S. Joseph Cope, Senior Scientist, Remote Sensing Laboratory – Joint Base Andrews
Dami Fasina, MS in Medical Physics @ Duke University
Jonathan Coburn, Monaco Postdoctoral Fellow Science Division, ITER Organization