Titans Of Nuclear | Interviewing World Experts on Nuclear Energy

In this episode we discuss... Bill's personal evolution in the nuclear industry, including his work at USNRC and General Director of the NEA --- A history of the NEA and OECD --- Bill's work developing technology programs within the US Department of Energy, including the advanced light water reactor and programs encouraging college students to study nuclear engineering --- The Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Committee and its Nuclear Energy Research Initiative --- How Bill helped prevent nuclear engineering programs from collapsing in universities across the US with investments from Congress --- The Generation for International Forum and its work promoting nuclear --- How Japan has responded to reinforcing its nuclear infrastructure against earthquakes after Fukushima --- A deep dive into the Nuclear Innovation 2050 initiative and its work to expedite the nuclear cycle --- What's in store for the future

In this episode we discuss... Milko's personal evolution in the nuclear industry and his work at the International Atomic Energy Agency --- Light water reactors versus pressurized water reactors --- Chernobyl and the design deficiencies that had to be addressed following the accident --- Long term systems for radioactive waste and spent fuel management --- Steps to guiding countries towards becoming nuclear --- A look at the processes and timelines involved in becoming a nuclear country --- The future of small modular reactors --- Challenges the world may have to overcome with the surge of interest in nuclear energy

In this episode we discuss... David's background in industrial engineering and work at the Idaho National Laboratory --- David's current and future work at IAEA --- A deep dive into different radioactive wastes and the regulations surrounding their management and disposal --- Carbon capture and sequestration --- How our agricultural practices (particularly soil conservation) affects climate change --- Gen 4 reactors and their advanced fuel cycles --- The economics of a closed fuel cycle versus an open fuel cycle -- Different recycling schemes including MOX fuel with recycled plutonium --- Technical solutions to integrate nuclear with renewable energy systems --- The correlation between poverty and energy poverty and ways in which solving the latter can solve the former ---

In this episode we discuss... Malcolm's background in psychology --- Malcolm's work in public perception and nuclear politics at the Atomic Energy Authority and beyond --- A summary of Malcolm's books including Civil Nuclear Energy and Double or Quits: The Future of Civil Nuclear Energy --- A look at the relationship between the public, scientific-technical sphere, and political spheres --- The political and psychological aftermath of Fukushima --- Why the general public is afraid of nuclear despite it being the safest energy source --- Ways in which the nuclear industry can improve its communications strategy to dispel fear --- The lethal pitfalls of regulations surrounding radiological protection --- Why "nuclear going wrong is better than coal going right" ---

In this episode we discuss... Bernard's personal path through various nuclear institutions including his position as Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Areva A history of the nuclear industry and France's many contributions A deep dive into fusion energy and the processes involved Energy's fundamental role in the world's social and economic development The ins and outs of ITER's research surrounding nuclear fusion and plasma physics And where Bernard sees the future of nuclear

In this episode we discuss... Valerie's diverse educational background and how it applies to her job today Her personal evolution through the nuclear field The French Nuclear Society's research surrounding nuclear and the environment including safety and waste, climate, air pollution, biodiversity, and the use of worldwide resources The unique, symbiotic relationship between the French government and the French Nuclear Society and how more countries can adopt a similar dynamic Valerie's positive outlook on the future of nuclear and human progress

In this episode, we discuss... Fiona's background and her personal evolution in the nuclear field A deep dive into Boron Neutron Capture Therapy and how it works to treat cancerous tumors A breakdown of NNL and its role in the nuclear field Fiona's outlook on nuclear's development cycle and whether or not it can be expedited District heating and why applying nuclear to heat can increase cost efficiency The steps Fiona believes necessary to nuclear's success as a sustainable energy source

In this episode, we discuss... - His personal path through various nuclear institutions including Argonne and his current efforts at Nuclear-21 - Nuclear sustainability and the pros and cons of different ways to handle spent fuel - Hurdles including challenges with qualification and supply and market that nuclear must leap to become truly accepted as a sustainable energy option - And where Luc sees the future of nuclear

In this episode, we discuss... A deep dive into the economics of nuclear power. The evolution of the uranium enrichment industry and the processes involved. Causes behind significant fluctuations in the value of uranium throughout history. The enrichment capabilities of different countries. Separative work units and how they apply to enrichment processes. The necessity for negative bidding in the nuclear industry. A look at Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison's respective impacts on the electric and nuclear industries. An explanation for the multiple definitions of SMR (Small Modular Reactors). The grave pitfalls of market-driven approaches to energy and their impact on climate. Historical symptoms of climate change including the receding glaciers. Approaches we can adopt to decrease energy's cost of capital.

In this episode, we discuss... Troels' personal evolution and how he came to start Seaborg Technologies. How Seaborg has advanced to become the largest technical reactor development team beyond Asia. Compact molten salt reactors and how they work to increase nuclear sustainability. Troels' optimistic outlook on the future of nuclear technology. The impact of nuclear energy on both global warming and global poverty.