Education

Research Description

Dr. Hayes' research interests include nuclear nonproliferation, radiological emergency response and nuclear waste disposal technologies which are advanced using novel hybrid approaches including radiation detection, air monitoring, luminescence and magnetic resonance coupled with Monte Carlo radiation transport modeling. His research includes luminescence and magnetic resonance techniques on free radicals created from exposure to ionizing radiation in conjunction with air monitoring technologies related to consequence assessment and emergency response. Tying all these together are novel detection methodologies which include HPGe applications for field assay coupled with low resolution detector platforms. Modeling these effects with Monte Carlo radiation transport codes to interpolate and extrapolate from measured values then allows useful predictions tied back to measurement. His background includes many years of industrial experience at a nuclear waste repository and on the federal radiological emergency response teams.

Publications

Innovative use of novel shielding materials for space electronics

Hartwell, P., McDonell, S. M., & Hayes, R. B. (2025, December), RADIATION PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY, Vol. 237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.113023

Optimal Additive Dose Distributions for Minimizing Dose Estimate Error in Retrospective and Emergency Dosimetry with Heteroscedastic Effects

Polk, M. G., & Hayes, R. B. (2025, April 20), NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. https://doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2025.2480858

Radiation Hardness Assurance by Redundancy in Raspberry Pi Zero W Computation Metrics via Total Ionizing Dose ⁶⁰Co Testing for Spacecraft Applications

Hanson, S. C., & Hayes, R. B. (2025), HEALTH PHYSICS, 128(6), 457–466. https://doi.org/10.1097/HP.0000000000001940

A preliminary NASA compliant conformal coating for optimized space radiation shielding configurations and its mass attenuation coefficients

Hanson, S. C., Xiao, Y., Charrette, R., & Hayes, R. B. (2024), PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY, 169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2024.105089

Demonstrating a Quantitative and Systematic Approach to Reducing Excess Conservativism in Nuclear Criticality Safety Analyses

Holyk, S. A., & Hayes, R. B. (2024), Nuclear Science and Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2024.2323866

Optimization of pure elemental and oxide-based shielding materials for cost

Peete, B., Trainor, S., & Hayes, R. (2024), PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY, 177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2024.105444

A thermal natural uranium breeder reactor for large and small applications with passive safeguard designs

Hayes, R. B., & Sawyers, M. J. (2023), PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY, 163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2023.104804

An Assessment of Heterogeneous Effects on System Reactivity for Criticality Safety Analyses with LEU+ and HALEU Materials

Sewell, P. H., & Hayes, R. B. (2023), Nuclear Technology, 209(6), 835–856. https://doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2022.2157662

Dose Estimation for Extravasation of 177Lu, 99mTc, and 18F

Tsorxe, I. Y., & Hayes, R. B. (2023), Health Physics, 124(3), 217–220. https://doi.org/10.1097/HP.0000000000001653

EVALUATION OF EXISTING PUBLIC DOSE LIMITS APPLIED TO RECREATIONAL SPACEFLIGHT

Long, M. A., & Hayes, R. B. (2023), Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 199(5), 482–489. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncad037

View all publications via NC State Libraries

Grants

Polymer-Based Conformal Space Radiation Shield with Thermal Management Manufactured by Five-Axis 3D Printing Platform

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(8/16/22 - 8/27/25)

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Polymer-Based Conformal Space Radiation Shield with Thermal Management Manufactured by Five-Axis 3D Printing Platform

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 8/16/22

End Date: 8/27/25

Abstract

In response to Department of Energy (DOE) SBIR Topic 4a ����������������Additive Manufacturing Techniques for Space Applications: Shielding of Electronic Circuits for Space Radiation via Additive Manufacturing���������������, Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) will work with North Carolina State University (NCSU) on the proposed project entitled ����������������Polymer-Based Conformal Space Radiation Shield with Thermal Management Manufactured by Five-Axis 3D Printing Platform���������������. The proposed project aims to fabricate a multi-layered, conformal space radiation shield using the multi-axis 3D printing platform. Micro/nano-particles and fibers will be added to the polymer for enhanced heat transfer and radiation attenuation performances.

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OSL and EPR Measurements by North Carolina State University

National Nuclear Security Administration(8/30/21 - 7/31/24)

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OSL and EPR Measurements by North Carolina State University

Sponsor: National Nuclear Security Administration

Start Date: 8/30/21

End Date: 7/31/24

Abstract

NC State will investigate the utility of thermal and optically stimulated luminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance as new tools for nuclear forensics. The NSCU scope is motivated by the need to develop new forensics methods that can measure how long a special nuclear material (SNM) was in a given location, the spatial distribution of the SNM in a container, and the age of a SNM. This work will improve the ability to characterize the production and storage history of radiological materials.

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Measurements of Short-lived Fission Products Yields from Photon-Induces Fission of Special Nuclear Materials

National Nuclear Security Administration(10/01/18 - 5/31/22)

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Measurements of Short-lived Fission Products Yields from Photon-Induces Fission of Special Nuclear Materials

Sponsor: National Nuclear Security Administration

Start Date: 10/01/18

End Date: 5/31/22

Abstract

The overarching goas of this project are: (1) to educate the next generation of nuclear physicists with expertise in performing photon-induced fission measurements on actinide nuclei; (2) to contribute to the modernization of the database for photon-induced fission using the unique features of the High Intensity Gamma-ray Source (HilS) at the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL), e.g., adding data for. quantities measured using the mono��������� energetic and polarized gamma-ray beam at HilS; and (3) to develop techniques and instrumentation that enable new types of measurements. The proposed research has two parts. We will perform measurements of the yields of short-lived isotopes from photon-induced fission of actinide nuclei that are important to the mission of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Our research in this area is producing the first data for fission product yields (FPY) from fission induced with a mono-energetic gamma-ray beam. The proposed work will extend our current measurements of FPY of isotopes with half-lives greater than about 30 minutes to isotopes with half-lives less than 60 seconds. Specifically, we will develop the capabilities for and performing measurements of FPY of isotopes with half-lives in the range of 1 to 60 seconds for photon-induced fission of Uranium-235, Uranium-238, Plutium-239 and Plutium-240. In addition to the FPY measurements, we will develop a system for measuring the angular distribution and energy spectrum of prompt neutrons emitted from fission induced with a linearly polarized and mono-energetic gamma-ray beam. The system will consist of an array of liquid scintillators to detect the neutrons and a gas scintillator target chamber to tag the fission events by detection of the fission fragments. The system capabilities will be demonstrated by measuring the prompt neutron energy spectrum at several angles for photon-induced fission of Uranium-238.

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Consortium for Nonproliferation Enabling Capabilities

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(7/31/14 - 9/30/20)

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Consortium for Nonproliferation Enabling Capabilities

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 7/31/14

End Date: 9/30/20

Abstract

NC State University, in partnership with University of Michigan, Purdue University, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Kansas State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, NC A&T State University, Los Alamos National Lab, Oak Ridge National Lab, and Pacific Northwest National lab, proposes to establish a Consortium for Nonproliferation Enabling Capabilities (CNEC). The vision of CNEC is to be a pre-eminent research and education hub dedicated to the development of enabling technologies and technical talent for meeting the grand challenges of nuclear nonproliferation in the next decade. CNEC research activities are divided into four thrust areas: 1) Signatures and Observables (S&O); 2) Simulation, Analysis, and Modeling (SAM); 3) Multi-source Data Fusion and Analytic Techniques (DFAT); and 4) Replacements for Potentially Dangerous Industrial and Medical Radiological Sources (RDRS). The goals are: 1) Identify and directly exploit signatures and observables (S&O) associated with special nuclear material (SNM) production, storage, and movement; 2) Develop simulation, analysis, and modeling (SAM) methods to identify and characterize SNM and facilities processing SNM; 3) Apply multi-source data fusion and analytic techniques to detect nuclear proliferation activities; and 4) Develop viable replacements for potentially dangerous existing industrial and medical radiological sources. In addition to research and development activities, CNEC will implement educational activities with the goal to develop a pool of future nuclear non-proliferation and other nuclear security professionals and researchers.

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Faculty Development Program in Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State University, 2014

US Nuclear Regulatory Commission(8/01/14 - 7/31/19)

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Faculty Development Program in Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State University, 2014

Sponsor: US Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Start Date: 8/01/14

End Date: 7/31/19

Abstract

The Department of Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State University (NCSU) has benefited from three faculty development awards so far and the results are a glaring success. The first cohort of three junior faculty supported by the first award won in 2008 are successfully advancing their academic careers: one earned his tenure as Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering in 2012, one was promoted from Assistant Professor to tenured Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering in 2013and the third has cleared the Departmental and the College review levels this year with very strong support on both levels. His case now is under consideration by the University������������������s Promotion and Tenure Committee expected to reach a final decision in May 2014. Given the strongly positive recommendations by the Department and College levels we anticipate a positive decision to promote the candidate to Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering with tenure. Similarly, the faculty development awards won in 2010 and in 2011 have been put to excellent use by two faculty members, one of whom has been reappointed very recently to a second three-year term as Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering, the second is preparing for his tenure review as Associate Professor next academic year. The latter faculty member������������������s case is going very strong. The funding provided by NRC������������������s Faculty Development Program plays a pivotal role in the achieved success.

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