Department of Nuclear Engineering
All Events
- This event has passed.
[Seminar] ORNL’s Role in Advancing Fission and Fusion Technologies for a Clean Energy Future
September 28, 2023 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Event Navigation
Dr. Mickey R. Wade
Associate Laboratory Director
Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Abstract
Global energy demand is anticipated to increase markedly in the second half of the 21st century, simultaneous with the need to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to low levels. Advanced nuclear energy technologies, both fission and fusion, hold great promise for the US and the world to meet this challenge in a robust and sustainable manner. ORNL research stands at the forefront in several critical areas in the development of these technologies. In fission, ORNL research is focused on extending the lifetime of the current fleet of reactors while simultaneously developing advanced technologies for future reactors. ORNL has world-class capabilities in advanced fuel development, advanced nuclear reactor designs, reactor and component simulation, cradle-to-grave fuel cycle R&D, nuclear materials, nuclear sensors and instrumentation, neutronics, thermal hydraulics, criticality safety, and nuclear data. In fusion, ORNL aspirations are founded on world-class technical capabilities in plasma physics, fusion materials, and fusion technology combined with project excellence through the US ITER Project Office and Materials Plasma Exposure eXperiment (MPEX) efforts. In both the fission and fusion programs, vibrant engagement in partnerships with private industry are a critical aspect of the ORNL program, both informing new design concepts and motivating new R&D. In this talk, examples of recent ORNL research will be presented along with our future plans to accelerate the adoption of fission and fusion energy technologies.
Biography
Dr. Mickey Wade is the Associate Laboratory Director of the Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate at Oak Ridge National Lab, where he leads a diverse team of scientists and engineers in developing scientific and technological solutions that accelerate deployment of nuclear and fusion energy technologies. Previously, Dr. Wade was the Director of the ORNL Fusion Energy Division and Director of the DIII-D National Fusion Program. He has made numerous contributions to advancing US interest in ITER and in leading key community strategic planning activities. He is the author of over 30 first-author papers, a Fellow of the American Physical Society, and previously served on the Editorial Boards of Nuclear Fusion and Physics of Plasmas. Dr. Wade received his master’s and doctorate degrees in Nuclear Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1987 and 1991, respectively.
Thursday, September 28. 2023
4:00 pm seminar
zoom link upon request
Talley Student Union Room 4101