TH20 Pioneering Advanced Enabling Technologies for a Safer Nuclear Future
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.
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
SPEAKER(S):
- Raj Iyengar, Chief, Reactor Engineering Branch, Division of Engineering, RES/NRC
- Cheryl Gayheart, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Southern Nuclear Company
- Taylor Smith, Director of Special Projects, Vistra Corporation
- Ellen Cerreta, Associate Laboratory Director, Los Alamos National LaboratoryAccelerating the Deployment of Advanced Reactors Through Enabling R&D
- John Nakoski, Deputy Head, Division of Nuclear Safety Technology and Regulation, OECD Nuclear Energy Agency
SESSION COORDINATORS(S):
- Mauricio Gutierrez, I&C Engineer, RES/NRC tel: (301) 415-1925, e-mail: Mauricio.Gutierrez@nrc.gov
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Monday, January 26, 2026
