Speaker: Professor Jasmina Vujic, Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley

Topic:

This talk will discuss the existing technical challenges and opportunities that require a long-term strategy in building research capabilities and teaming among international and national laboratories, universities and industry to fully achieve the global sustainable nuclear energy benefits.

Download the slides from this presentation here.

At the beginning of the 21st century the world is facing considerable energy and environmental challenges. Almost one-third of the world’s population does not have access to electricity. Fossil fuels are the major source of energy today, and will continue to be in the future, unless more unless more environment-friendly and sustainable sources of electricity are available. Developed countries are concerned about energy security and energy independence. Nuclear energy will play a significant and increasing role in the world’s energy mix.  However, several obstacles must be overcome, including safe disposal of spent fuel and proliferation prevention.
 
In an unprecedented action, the directors of all ten national laboratories in the U.S. prepared a position paper on “A Sustainable Energy Future: The Essential Role of Nuclear Energy” in August 2008 for U.S. policy makers, which states their joint recommendations regarding specific near-term actions as well as a coherent long-term strategy. The United States needs to urgently extend the life of its existing nuclear plants, build new plants, and implement further cost improvements in the near future. Recycling of spent fuel and development of advanced fuel cycles must also be aggressively pursued, together with the development of advanced Generation IV reactors, , in order to assure uninterrupted worldwide fuel supply and effective waste management. Research and development in advanced safeguards will be emphasized, and expertise will be rebuilt across industry, national laboratories and academia. 

Registration:
This event is limited to 75 people and an RSVP is required to secure your place.
Cost: $15 for PES or NPSS members and $20 for non-members
Price includes one drink ticket and lite food items.

5:30 – 6:15    Registration and Networking
6:15 – 6:30    Chapter announcements and discussion
6:30 – 8:00    Presentation

To Register

RSVP to Marvin R Hamon, P.E., Chair OEB PES at: Click for address

Speaker:

Jasmina Vujic, Professor and Chair
Nuclear Engineering Department
University of California at Berkeley

Prof. Vujic is an internationally recognized expert in the development of advanced methods for reactor analysis and design, as well as for medical applications of radiation. She has published nearly 200 papers, has received many awards and is active in several  professional societies. After receiving her Ph.D. in nuclear science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Dr. Vujic joined the research staff of the Argonne National Laboratory, where she carried out research on neutron transport methods in nuclear reactor cores, and was granted a patent on a new transport theory code. She became a member of the U.C. Berkeley faculty in 1992. In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in reactor physics and reactor analysis, her research interests have covered advanced nuclear reactor analysis and design, shielding, radiation protection, health physics, environmental and radiological safety characteristics of fussion/fission systems, and other topics. Dr. Vujic is also Director of the interdepartmental Davis Etcheverry Computing Facility. She is a member of the Board of Directors of American Nuclear Society and a Chair of the ANS Mathematics and Computing Division.