Conference Session

Research and Education in Radiation and Radiologic

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mitchell Pryor; Sheldon Landsberger

Tagged Divisions

Nuclear and Radiological

and industry. A course structure and timeline is outlined andmapped to the proposed curricula and project development. Students in the program areadditionally mentored by DOE personnel to complete interdisciplinary research projects relevantin nuclear application areas.Background and MotivationThe idea of automating the multitude of hazardous tasks associated with all phases of the nuclearfuel cycle (whether it be weaponized or energy producing) is not a new one. The positive impactof successful automation for safety and security is clear, yet the few successes have been costlyand time consuming. A review (as examples, Y-121, LANL2, INL3, ORNL4, SNL5, 6, andAcademia7) of the multitude of projects teaches an important lesson. Automation in the

Conference Session

Curriculum Development and Teaching Models in NRE

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Keith Holbert, Arizona State University; Jeffrey Goss, Arizona State University

Tagged Divisions

Nuclear and Radiological

distinctive course for which lecture materials must be developed, the plantpersonnel are assuming the lead on enumerating and detailing the critical topics and informationto be covered. University faculty are then converting the experiential knowledge into suitableclassroom materials, including exercises, case studies, design projects, etc., and ensuring that therequisite academic rigor is present. To create real-life examples that are integrated into theonline content, video footage is shot at PVNGS, edited in production studios at ASU, and thenpackaged as distributed media for synchronous and asynchronous online delivery. Page 14.204.2A major

Conference Session

Curriculum Development and Teaching Models in NRE

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Dimitri Tamalis, Florida Memorial University; Sheldon Landsberger, University of Texas, Austin; Steven Biegalski, University of Texas, Austin; Vanessa Sanders, Florida Memorial University; Chanika Symister, Florida Memorial University; Rose Stiffin, Florida Memorial University

Tagged Divisions

Nuclear and Radiological

design and supervise a suitable research project. It was finally decidedthat the accompaniment of the two students by one of their professors would alleviate both ofthese obstacles. Prompt gamma activation analysis is a technique used to detect the presence in µg to gamounts of many elements in a sample irradiated with a beam of neutrons. When the atoms inthe sample absorb some of the neutrons, they emit prompt (immediate as opposed to delayedproduction of gamma rays) gamma rays. A gamma-ray spectrometer measures the energies inMeV of these rays and identifies the constituent elements of the sample. The peak intensities ofthe peaks are in correspondence to elemental concentrations. The amount of analyte element isgiven by the ratio of

Conference Session

Curriculum Development and Teaching Models in NRE

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brenden Mervin, University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Guillermo Maldonado, University of Tennessee

Tagged Divisions

Nuclear and Radiological

of the fundamental principlesbehind cross-section processing, reactor physics, criticality safety, and other related applicationsby demonstrating how these computational packages are used in these specific areas. This willalso open a gateway for national laboratory initiatives as well as university-laboratory-industrypartnerships for the professional development of future nuclear engineers. Figure 1 illustrates thetimetable associated with this educational project. Figure 1: Overview of US NRC Project led by University of Tennessee and Texas A&M The modules outlined in Figure 1 will be structured into “standalone” educational toolsable to independently provide substantial fundamental and interactive information on the

Conference Session

Research and Education in Radiation and Radiologic

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sheldon Landsberger, University of Texas, Austin; Ofodike Ezekoye, University of Texas, Austin; David Hearnsberger, University of Texas, Austin; Rose Stiffin, Florida Memorial University; Michael Elliott, Florida Memorial University; Dimitri Tamalis, Florida Memorial University; Carlos Handy, Texas Southern University; Elena Stefanova, Texas Southern University; Muchere Russ, Huston-Tilliston

Tagged Divisions

Nuclear and Radiological

to provide a line of coursework, (among other subjects) in physics, environmentalradioactivity, radiation protection and dosimetry, and radiation detection. Currently, this is theonly program that exists in the Houston area that can provide instruction at the undergraduateand graduate level in health physics. This is especially important considering the South TexasNuclear Project, owned by NRG Services, is potentially the largest employer of health physicistsin the region and their need will grow as two additional nuclear reactors are added to this site. Page 14.670.6While this program is academically rigorous, the practical application of