2021 Nuclear Engineering
Virtual Summer Series


DATE: July 26-30, 2021 at 10:00 am & 1:00 pm EDT 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

REGISTER HERE for the week.
Registration closes 07/23; Zoom link will be sent on 07/23.

Questions: Lisa Marshall, Outreach Director, lisa.marshall@ncsu.edu


Monday 7/26 @ 10:00 am EDT

Nuclear Engineering Explored

Overview of the week then hear from current students about their academic path, research & internships. They will share their experiences with nuclear engineering, and plans for the future. We’ll go over new and exciting areas and trends in nuclear engineering.


Monday 7/26 @ 1:00 pm EDT

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 on a virtual tour of the facility. One of our licensed reactor operators, Anna Isom (rising senior), and trainee, May Wells (rising junior) will give insight and answer questions.


Tuesday 7/27 @ 10:00 am EDT

Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear Science & Technology

Dr. Wu’s research combines Scientific Machine Learning (SciML), Experimentation and Modelling & Simulation into a unified approach to improve the predictive capabilities of computer models. This research focuses on risk and economics evaluations of advanced nuclear reactors, such as Accident Tolerant Plants, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Gen-IV reactors.


Tuesday 7/27 @ 1:00 pm EDT

Health Physics, 1 of 3

In a lead-up to Friday’s Health Physics virtual lab, students will have to become familiar with concepts & equipment. On day 1 we cover the science of radiation protection, how health physicists protect people and the environment from potential radiation hazards, while making it possible to enjoy the beneficial uses of radiation.


Wednesday 7/28 @ 10:00 am EDT

Gen IV: Molten Salt Reactors

Dr. Bataller’s team studies the fundamental properties of dense plasma and how materials evolve when exposed to the extreme environments found in current and next-generation nuclear reactors. We will focus on the work of his Molten-salt Ultrafast Spectroscopy Characterization Lab (MUSCL). There will be a LIVE virtual tour of two labs with demos.


Wednesday 07/28 @ 1:00 pm EDT

Health Physics Prep 2 of 3

Prep day #2 will continue with Q&A on radiation safety followed by short descriptions on uncertainty ending up with how these will apply to the phone detector application which will be demonstrated. If students had this last year, it will be a refreshing review as they can help their fellow students with this rather sophisticated topic.


Thursday 07/29 @ 10:00 am EDT

Probabilistic Risk Assessment

Dr. Diaconeasa’s research focus includes theories, applications, and simulation-based techniques in risk sciences such as traditional and dynamic probabilistic risk assessment, reliability analysis, resilient systems design, probabilistic physics of failure modeling, and Bayesian inference to assess the safety, security, resilience, and nonproliferation of current and future generation of nuclear reactors.


Thursday 07/29 @ 1:00 pm EDT

Student questions followed by discussion of results, and planned additional measurements.


Friday 07/30 @ 10:00 am EDT

  Nuclear Navy Reactors

From its humble beginnings, the Navy has produced many of the world’s first nuclear propelled vessels, from aircraft carriers to submarines. Lt. Lawrence McCarren will provide an overview of the US Nuclear Navy and its fleet, types of carriers and submarines being built, educational opportunities available, ending with a discussion of his career to date.


Friday 07/24 @ 1:00 pm EDT

Week’s Wrap Up

Where do students go when they graduate?

NC State’s nuclear engineering alumni share their experiences and answer questions. A free-style discussion on medical physics, nuclear navy, nuclear fuel production etc. We’ll also chat about the application process, funding, living & learning villages and student organizations.