• Dr. Mike Kotschenreuther
  Dr. Mike Kotschenreuther, Senior Research Scientist, Institute for Fusion Studies, Department of Nuclear Engineering, College of Natural Science
  University of Texas at Austin
  Fission-Fusion hybrid - Efficient destruction of nuclear waste - From a challenge to an opportunity
  August 21, 2009, at 11:30 AM in Engineering IV, Room 47-124.
  [Presentation]
• Dr. David Petti
  Dr. David Petti, NGNP R&D Director
  Idaho National Laboratory
  The Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP): Project Overview and Current Research Directions
  February 7, 2008, at 4:00 PM at the Faculty Center, Hacienda Room.
  Abstract: The Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) will demonstrate emissions-free nuclear-assisted electricity and hydrogen production by 2018. The NGNP reactor will be a helium-cooled, graphite moderated, thermal neutron spectrum reactor with a design goal outlet temperature of 900-950 deg. C. The reactor thermal power(which will be about 500-600 MWt) and core configuration will be designed to assure passive decay heat removal without fuel damage during hypothetical accidents The presentation will provide a description of the project to build the NGNP at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The NGNP Project includes reactor design, construction, and licensing activities and major R&D activities in fuel development and qualification, graphite and high temperature materials selection and qualification, and core design and safety analysis methods development and validation. An overview of the project and current R&D directions will be presented.
• Dr. Rene Raffray
  Dr. Rene Raffray, Research Scientist and Lecturer
  University of California, San Diego
  Heat and Mass Transfer in Fusion Energy Applications: From the Very Cold to the Very Hot
  January 25, 2008, at 12:00 PM in Boelter Hall, Room 6764 (Edward K. Rice Room).
  Abstract: Realization of fusion energy imposes considerable challenges in the areas of engineering, physics and material technology. This is typified by the heat and mass transfer aspects, which cover a wide range of conditions, from the very cold to the very hot.
  This seminar highlights this wide range of challenges associated with the heat and mass transfer aspects of fusion technology. On the cryogenic side, examples of current R&D results on IFE target layering and survival are presented. On the high temperature side, the thermo-mechanical behavior of a dry IFE chamber armor under the challenging conditions imposed by the photon and ion fluxes is described, along with some of the possible solutions to provide an acceptable armor lifetime. High heat flux challenges encountered in MFE are also summarized, with a focus on promising He-cooled tungsten divertor concepts, in particular the T-tube concept recently developed as part of the ARIES-CS study.
  [Abstract]
• Dr. Guenter Janeschitz
  Dr. Guenter Janeschitz, Head of Fusion Program and ITER Design Review Coordinator
  Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe)
  The Development of Commercial Fusion Energy in the European Union (EU) - ITER, “Fast Track”, “Ultra Fast Track”
  January 18, 2008, at 11:00 AM in Boelter Hall, Room 6764 (Edward K. Rice Room).
  Abstract: Humanity faces two major problems over the next few decades: climate change (CO2 production) and depletion of the finite resources, oil and natural gas. These two problems make the development and deployment of new non-fossil energy sources mandatory over the next several decades. While this time sounds long to the general public, it is actually dramatically short when considering the enormous amount of energy which has to be provided by new energy sources in the not so far future. A short overview of possible energy sources and their potential to contribute to the solutions of these problems is given, including fusion.
  The present focus of worldwide fusion development, namely the ITER project, will be discussed. However, in order to arrive at a commercial fusion reactor, significant effort will be needed in parallel to ITER. An overview of what technologies, beyond the ones developed for ITER, are needed to build a fusion reactor will be given, including an explanation of the “Broader Approach” agreement between the EU and JA. In the final part of the talk the time schedule of the official EU policy for developing commercial fusion power is summarized. When comparing this schedule with that needed for new energy sources, it becomes clear that fusion would be somewhat late. Therefore a modified strategy is under discussion in the EU to accelerate the development of fusion and other new energy sources (“Ultra Fast Track”). A summary on this accelerated development plan and an outlook will be given.
  [Abstract] [Presentation]
• Prof. Gerald L. Kulcinski
  Prof. Gerald L. Kulcinski, Associate Dean for Research, Grainger Professor of Nuclear Engineering, Director of the Fusion Technology Institute
  University of Wisconsin-Madison
  Where in the World Can We Find Clean, Safe, Long-lasting, and Economical Energy Sources for the 21st Century & Beyond?
  November 6, 2007, at 4:00 PM at the Faculty Center, California Room.
  Abstract: In this lecture, the following key and timely topics will be addressed:
  A) What is the status of world energy consumption now?
  B) What is the magnitude of worldwide energy resources that will be required for the next 200 years?
  C) How long will fossil fuels last as a major energy source?
  D) What other fuels can supply the world’s needs for 100-200 years?
  E) What about nuclear fission?
  F) What about nuclear fusion?
  G) Possible future actions.
  [Abstract] [Presentation]
• Dr. Neil B. Morley
  Dr. Neil B. Morley, Adjunct Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Senior Research Engineer in the Fusion Science and Technology Center
  University of California, Los Angeles
  Magnetohydrodynamic Effects in Liquid Flows, with Emphasis on Liquid Metal Flow Control in Fusion Energy Systems
  November 2, 2007, at 12:00 PM in Engineering IV, Room 38-138.
  Abstract: The movement of an electrical conductor through a magnetic field will generate electric currents owing to the Lorentz force (u x B) acting on charge carriers. The resultant currents themselves experience a similar Laplace force (j x B) that is transmitted to the medium. When the electric conductor is a fluid, the original motion of the fluid can be strongly modified by the Laplace force, and very strange and interesting flow phenomena can result. The study of this type of flow physics is called magnetohydrodynamics or MHD for short. Such flows are of strong interest in development of fusion energy breeding blanket components because of the presence of a strong magnetic field used to confine fusion plasmas and the desire to utilize conducting liquid metals or molten salts as blanket coolants. But MHD has applications in many fields ranging from metals processing and casting, micro- and bio-fluidics, geophysical dynamos, etc. In this seminar, the general topic of MHD effects in liquid flows will be introduced including some classical pedagogical MHD problems and solutions as well as a short discussion of various applications of interest including those in fusion energy systems. A detailed discussion of current simulation capabilities and their application to the study of liquid metal flow behavior and distribution control in distributing manifolds and coolant channels of fusion liquid metal blankets will be presented. The seminar will conclude with a snapshot of future directions for MHD research at UCLA.
  [Presentation]
• Drs. Robert Goldston and Jonathan Menard
  Dr. Robert J. Goldston, Director
  Dr. Jonathan Menard, Principal Research Physicist and Lecturer
  DOE’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
  The Path to Magnetic Fusion Energy: Crossing the Next Frontier
  May 7, 2007, at 12:00 PM in Boelter Hall, Room 6764 (Edward K. Rice Room)
  Abstract: Moving beyond ITER toward a compact magnetic fusion demonstration reactor (Demo) will require the integration of high plasma performance in steady-state with advanced methods for dissipating very high divertor heat-fluxes, while respecting strict limits on tritium retention. TRANSP simulations of the beam-driven current, the role of other possible current-drive sources, and future engineering and physics analysis work will be discussed.
  [Abstract]
• Dr. Ronaldo H. Szilard
  Director for Nuclear Science & Engineering
  Idaho National Laboratory
  Nuclear Science and Engineering Programs at Idaho National Laboratory
  April 27, 2007, at 12:00 PM in Engineering IV, Room 38-138
  Abstract: Nuclear energy holds enormous potential for the future and will benefit America and the world with safe, secure environmentally responsible, and affordable energy while reducing our nation's dependence on foreign resources. We will review the INL Nuclear Program agenda, its capabilities, history and mission with focus in the Nuclear Science and Engineering goals towards advanced nuclear reactor modeling and simulation.
  [Abstract]
• Patricia A. Woertz
  Chairman, CEO and President
  Archer Daniels Midland Company
  UCLA Anderson School Distinguished Speaker Series:
  "Leading the Energy Evolution"
  Wednesday, March 7, 2007, at 12:00 PM in the Korn Convocation Hall
  RSVP: http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/x16600.xml
  Presented in association with UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management, UCLA School of Law – Environmental Law Center, UCLA Institute of the Environment, UCLA School of Public Affairs.
• Dr. Kathryn McCarthy
  Deputy Associate Director for Nuclear Programs
  Idaho National Laboratory
  Nuclear Power's Role in Our Future
  February 22, 2007, at 4:00 PM in the Faculty Center Hacienda Room
  Abstract: As the standard of living of the world rises, so does the need for clean, safe, affordable energy. Nuclear energy will play a major role in the expansion of energy worldwide. The need for nuclear energy will be discussed, as well as what is required to enable a safe, secure, expansion of the world's existing nuclear energy base.
  [Abstract] [Presentation]
• William R. Corwin
  National Technical Director of the Gen IV Materials Technology Program
  Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  U.S. Generation IV Reactor Integrated Materials Technology Program
  January 31, 2007
  [Abstract]
• Prof. Wilson K.S. Chiu
  Department of Mechanical Engineering
  University of Connecticut
  Gas Transport and Electrochemistry in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes
  January 26, 2007
  [Presentation]
  
• Prof. Osamu Motojima
  Director General
  National Institute for Fusion Science, Japan
  November 28, 2006, at 4:00 PM in the Faculty Center Morgan Room
  HSSEAS Distinguished Lecturer Seminar:
  “Recent Plasma Advances and Pathway to High Density Steady State Fusion Reactor by Large Helical Device”
  [Abstract]
  
• Dr. John Sheffield
  Joint Center for Energy and Environment
  University of Tennessee—Knoxville
  April 28, 2005, at 4:00 PM in the Morgan Center
  MAE Distinguished Seminar:
  Future World Energy Demand and Supply: China and India and the Potential Role of Fusion Energy
  [Abstract] [Brief Bio]
  
• Dr. Yves Dubief
  Stanford University Center for Turbulence Research
  December 16, 2004
  Polymer Drag Reduction: From DNS to RANS
  [Abstract]
  
• Professor René Moreau
  Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble, France
  June 24, 2004
  The fundamentals of MHD turbulence in the limit of small magnetic Reynolds number
  [Abstract] [Presentation]