In this episode we discuss...

• How Sara Pozzi helped design international nuclear disarmament verification technologies at Oak Ridge
• The difference between active and passive interrogation in detecting nuclear materials
• Challenges of detecting nuclear materials smuggled in on container ships
• What the IAEA is doing to help promote non-proliferation of nuclear weapons around the world
• Why spent nuclear fuel is still a proliferation threat to the world
• How the Department of Energy's Consortium initiatives are training nuclear engineers for the workforce
• Why Sara believes we need to be focusing on detecting and characterizing special nuclear materials to keep us safe

In this episode we discuss...

• Alec Thomas' path to plasma physics at the University of Michigan
• Challenges of modeling an atom
• How laser plasma accelerators create energy
• The interactions between charged particles and plasma wave oscillations
• Benefits of plasma accelerators compared to high energy physics accelerators
• The use of titanium-doped sapphire crystals in lasers
• Plasma technology for medical applications
• Economic advantages of laser plasma accelerators

In this episode we discuss...

• James Duderstadt's beginnings in science and academia and his journey through the nuclear industry
• James' work on Project Rover, an American project to develop a nuclear thermal rocket
• Why James believes nuclear energy is a viable answer to reversing climate change
• How the University of Michigan played a crucial role in the creation of the Internet and pioneered the Hathi Trust digital library project
• How regulated markets have driven up the price of building nuclear plants in the United States
• Why big companies aren't investing in higher education anymore
• The incredible benefits Artificial Intelligence could mean for nuclear and the obstacles James believes AI must first overcome

In this episode, we discuss...

• How Steven Freel began work in the nuclear industry building nuclear control room simulators
• Steven's path through the nuclear industry, including his time at startup companies like Singer Link (now GSE Systems)
• How Steven's unconventional approach to leadership helped spotlight him for CEO of Studsvik Scandpower
• Ways in which Studsvik Scandpower is changing how fuel is chosen and managed at power plants
• The divisions of Studsvik and ways in which the company's new software technologies are making power plants more efficient
• Steven's vision for the future of nuclear and what it will take to change public perception

In this episode we discuss...

• Joshua Goldstein's background as an environmentalist and politician
• Sweden's successful build-up of nuclear power and lessons learned from Germany's build-up of renewable power
• How to normalize nuclear energy by educating the public on its risks and benefits
• Future global energy demand and the necessity of nuclear energy
• Promotion of global decarbonization with a nuclear power backbone
• Impacts of marketing in developing public perceptions of different energy sources
• Creating a smarter economy to solve climate change
• Goals of the Nuclear Energy Modernization Act for future reactor licensing

In this episode we discuss...

• The renewed enthusiasm by vendors and contractors for nuclear power in the Americas
• Why public perception needs to improve to make nuclear power a viable option in some areas
• Advancements in structural analysis techniques allow for more robust plant designs
• How younger engineers and Puerto Ricans are impacting the nuclear industry in a positive way
• Why United States nuclear industry leaders are relied upon to advance nuclear interests worldwide
• How SMRs offer opportunities to advance nuclear power generation in the U.S. and worldwide
• How SMR design allows for core cooling without reliance on external power sources
• Ways in which Puerto Rico could implement SMRs to meet their energy needs

In this episode we discuss...

• Rex's academic background & background at NASA
• Rex's focus at Teledyne Technologies
• How Rex transitioned to nuclear
• BWXT's role supporting US Navy
• Market innovation at BWXT
• Technology innovation at BWXT
• Other clients of BWXT
• Future of nuclear energy in U.S.

In this episode we discuss...

• Susan Eisenhower on growing up as the granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower
• The origins of her fascination with US-Soviet relations
• How her career began in corporate strategic marketing and took her to arms control and nuclear energy
• The Megatons to Megawatts Program
• The benefits of a cross-disciplinary approach to problem-solving
• How nuclear energy makes the world not just cleaner, but safer
• Why policymakers need a better strategy for international relations, for nuclear energy, and for climate change
• What it will take to make headway on climate change

In this episode we discuss...

• Philip Sharp's entrance into politics and energy policy
• Significant changes in the energy industry in the 1970s and 80s
• Environmental regulation vs. economic regulation
• Sharp's accomplishments in Congress
• The role of educational institutions such as Harvard in energy
• The overall role of RFF
• Sharp's research with RFF
• The future of energy policy in the US and the world

In this episode we discuss...

• Lessons learned from the Three-Mile Island accident
• The importance of information sharing among the nuclear industry to increase safety
• Refocusing of priorities regarding the NRC's regulatory responsibilities
• Post 9/11 refocusing on safety and robust engineering
• Implementing lessons learned from the Fukushima accident
• Functions of the NRC and reactions to recent events
• Collaboration among countries and joint research projects are beneficial to the nuclear industry
• Prospects for the future of the nuclear industry