Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Video recording of RIC2026 Technical Session: TH20 - Pioneering Advanced Enabling Technologies for a Safer Nuclear Future
Note: the subtitles are 90% accurate.
With the increased interest and activities in development of commercial advanced reactors and their fuels, significant research and development effort has been expended in the exploration of the potential use of enabling technologies to minimize risk and uncertainties related to reactors operations and maintenance. The recent Executive Order 14300 calls for the employment of emerging technologies to safely accelerate the modeling, simulation, testing, and approval of new reactor designs. While several advanced enabling technologies have shown promise for non-safety applications, harnessing these technologies for safety related applications could be expedited judiciously.
The session aims to advance the expeditious realization of the promise of advanced technologies for nuclear applications. The session will focus on regulatory applications of advanced mature technologies, such as modeling and simulation, digital twins, advances in nondestructive examination, advanced condition monitoring of passive and mechanical components, remote operations, and cybersecurity, to enable and advance technological solutions for the safe use of nuclear energy.
SESSION CHAIR(S):
Caroline Carusone, Deputy Executive Director for Nuclear Materials, Administrative, and Corporate Programs, OEDO/NRC, Opening Remarks
SPEAKER(S):
Raj Iyengar, Chief, Reactor Engineering Branch, Division of Engineering, RES/NRC
Regulatory Considerations for Advanced Enabling Technologies for the Safe Use of Nuclear
Cheryl Gayheart, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Southern Nuclear Company
Artificial Intelligence – By Words and Numbers – Building a Culture to Enable the Future!
Taylor Smith, Director of Special Projects, Vistra Corporation, Nuclear Data Driving Operational Input
Ellen Cerreta, Associate Laboratory Director, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Brief Overview of Nuclear Energy Research at Los Alamos National Laboratory
John Nakoski, Deputy Head, Division of Nuclear Safety Technology and Regulation, OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, Enabling Innovative Technologies for Regulatory Application – Nuclear Safety Research
SESSION COORDINATORS(S):
Mauricio Gutierrez, I&C Engineer, RES/NRC tel: (301) 415-1925, e-mail: Mauricio.Gutierrez@nrc.gov
Video recording of RIC2026 Technical Session: TH20 - Pioneering Advanced Enabling Technologies for a Safer Nuclear Future
Note: the subtitles are 90% accurate.
With the increased interest and activities in development of commercial advanced reactors and their fuels, significant research and development effort has been expended in the exploration of the potential use of enabling technologies to minimize risk and uncertainties related to reactors operations and maintenance. The recent Executive Order 14300 calls for the employment of emerging technologies to safely accelerate the modeling, simulation, testing, and approval of new reactor designs. While several advanced enabling technologies have shown promise for non-safety applications, harnessing these technologies for safety related applications could be expedited judiciously.
The session aims to advance the expeditious realization of the promise of advanced technologies for nuclear applications. The session will focus on regulatory applications of advanced mature technologies, such as modeling and simulation, digital twins, advances in nondestructive examination, advanced condition monitoring of passive and mechanical components, remote operations, and cybersecurity, to enable and advance technological solutions for the safe use of nuclear energy.
SESSION CHAIR(S):
Caroline Carusone, Deputy Executive Director for Nuclear Materials, Administrative, and Corporate Programs, OEDO/NRC, Opening Remarks
SPEAKER(S):
Raj Iyengar, Chief, Reactor Engineering Branch, Division of Engineering, RES/NRC
Regulatory Considerations for Advanced Enabling Technologies for the Safe Use of Nuclear
Cheryl Gayheart, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Southern Nuclear Company
Artificial Intelligence – By Words and Numbers – Building a Culture to Enable the Future!
Taylor Smith, Director of Special Projects, Vistra Corporation, Nuclear Data Driving Operational Input
Ellen Cerreta, Associate Laboratory Director, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Brief Overview of Nuclear Energy Research at Los Alamos National Laboratory
John Nakoski, Deputy Head, Division of Nuclear Safety Technology and Regulation, OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, Enabling Innovative Technologies for Regulatory Application – Nuclear Safety Research
SESSION COORDINATORS(S):
Mauricio Gutierrez, I&C Engineer, RES/NRC tel: (301) 415-1925, e-mail: Mauricio.Gutierrez@nrc.gov
