Titans Of Nuclear | Interviewing World Experts on Nuclear Energy

In this episode, we discuss... Mathijs' inspiration and personal evolution in the nuclear field. A deep dive into the world-wide energy dilemma. The economics of natural resources and renewables. The flawed assumptions surrounding stability of natural resources and renewables. The disparity between OECD and non-OECD consumption and its potential future implications. Consumerism's significant role in the energy equation. Paradigm shifts Mathjis believes OECD countries must undergo in order to reduce their energy consumption. Ways in which nuclear energy can play a vital role in preventing climate change. Saving the world from energy poverty. Our dwindling carbon allowance and how it dictates the solutions available to us.

In this episode, we discuss... The fields of metallurgy and powder metallurgy. How the various fields function within the processes of shaping and forging steel. The molecular interactions involved in creating different types of steel. 3D printing and how it is used to forge materials otherwise difficult to manipulate. Wade's personal evolution from a student of metallurgy to VTT's Laboratory Director. A deep dive into the research conducted at the VTT Centre for Nuclear Safety. Flexible, multi-scale experimental environments for material testing. The future of material science and its vital role in the nuclear space.

In this episode, we discuss... Rauli's blog about oil's unique properties and his interest in the nuclear field. The concept of Peak Oil and why a dependence on oil is a problem. Writing "The Climate Gamble" and the three arguments incorporated into the book. How the distribution of literature about nuclear can clear misconceptions held by others. Problems in messaging from the nuclear industry over the last 40 years. The importance of not talking about nuclear safety culture. Communication theory as it relates to nuclear industry. Rauli's research on the applications of nuclear energy and high temperature reactors. Public and political discourse about nuclear energy. Combining heat and power and its effect on energy production. The negative consequences of banning coal and the importance of coming up with alternatives. Where to go to learn more about nuclear.

In this episode, we discuss... Ville's previous misperceptions about nuclear energy and how he overcame them. Generation 4 and how the new reactors can be more economic, more versatile, and safer. The Super Critical Water Reactor and the neutronics behind it. Fuel Behavior Analysis and what exactly it entails. The Halden Reactor in Norway. Modeling responses to pressure differentials. The potential applications of Small Module Reactors. Why the amount of electricity SMRs can bring to the grid are more flexible than the current fleet. A comparison of the load-following capabilities of SMRs and larger power plants. Ice-breaker reactors on their ships. The different industries that can use nuclear heat. Why it is necessary for the nuclear industry to advocate for the use of nuclear energy.

In this episode, we discuss... Atte's interest in history and his involvement in politics during University. Researching the socioeconomic impact of climate change. The history of the Finnish people and political institutions. The relationship between politics and climate policy. How approaches to solving problems and talking about politics have changed over time. The various political parties in Finland and their platforms. Working at the intersection of research and politics. The advantage of being able to communicate science to politicians and vise-versa. Perceptions of the nuclear industry in Finnish politics and society. How the idea of renewable energy is a problem. Why we are lacking incentives to act on climate change. What changing our priorities look like and a market-driven approach to climate change. The benefits and disadvantages of regulating the removal of fossil infrastructure completely.

In this episode, we discuss... Toni's interest in environmental protection, energy, and climate change. The culture in Finland. His involvement in the steel industry and their relationship with nuclear. Innovative projects surrounding heat consumption and the issue's importance in Finland. Energy procurement and investing in the nuclear industry. The impact of nuclear energy on climate change v. other forms of energy. Other parties involved in establishing new nuclear companies. What the current nuclear landscape in Finland looks like. Why it is important to collaborate to solve challenges. The level of rigor required in building a nuclear power plant. What we learned about light water reactor meltdowns and how we can apply these lessons to future designs. Milestones in the power plant project.

In this episode, we discuss... Michael's interest in particle physics and his work as a high energy physicist. The difference between antimatter and antiprotons. Annihilation and why the occurrence of antimatter collisions are more common than you think. Constituents of a normal matter atom. Measuring the gravitational effect between matter and antimatter. The Grand Unification Theory and understanding gravity. Why understanding high energy physics is crucial to diagnosing and treating cancer and tumors. How high energy physics has led to the commercialization of technology. The catch of using gamma therapy to treat tumors and what must be done instead. Using accelerators to drive the production of thermal neutrons. Ripping electrons off of normal atoms and how targeted annihilation can kill surrounding cells. Cost-drivers of the current system. Neutrinos and the DUNE Experiment.

In this episode, we discuss... Giovanni's fascination with clean energy and his experiment on neutronics. Instrumentation and the uniqueness of sodium reactors. The role of particle accelerators in cancer treatments. Gaseous hydrogen and ionization. Developing technology and the impact of its commercialization. How the World Wide Web was originally developed to aid scientists. The MEDICIS Project and its potential contributions to the field of medicine. Deficits of current isotopes. The relationship between medical imaging and high energy physics. How an accelerator can impact radio isotope production. Dating art and understanding cultural heritage through the use of particle accelerators.

In this episode, we discuss... Steven's introduction to nuclear through physical chemistry. An explanation of CERN's mission and the Large Electron Positron Collider. Antimatter and the Z Boson. Why the effective mass of particles increase as you get closer to the speed of light. The misconceptions of particle collisions and an explanation of their interactions. The benefits of partnering with others in the industry. Collecting data through Z factories and the families of particles and quark. The Theory of Super-Symmetry and the Grand Unification Theory. Why it's better to refer to dark matter as invisible matter and its interaction with light in space. The ATLAS Experiment and photographing particle collisions. How measuring the Higgs Boson can help give us a new window into physics.

In this episode, we discuss... Yves' start as a nuclear engineer at the Power Utility of France (EDF). How the perception of nuclear energy in France has changed over time. USEPR and developing the US version of a European pressurized reactor. How to make nuclear investment profitable in spite of low competition prices. The background behind and challenges of Hinkley Point C. The impact of the electricity market's volatility. Why Contract for Difference and economic modeling can help attract investors to the industry. The similarities and differences of the anti-nuclear movements in the US and Europe. FORATOM and its mission. Decision-making processes within the European Union and consequences of the Euratom Treat. The impact of Germany phasing out their nuclear power. What must be done to change the perception of the nuclear industry. What next generation technology looks like and what the future holds for the nuclear industry.