Ep 07: Hans Gougar, Idaho National Labs

Episode Content: How Hans became interested in nuclear energy An overview of the of pebble bed technology physics and materials How high temperature can be safer than low temperature The ups and downs of interest in the technology He explains need to build expertise, infrastructure, modeling and new regulations just to lay the foundation for commercializing new technologies Why even a 50MW pilot project is a large endeavor The role INL plays as an independent auditor and fuel qualifier He articulates the difference between pebblebed and prismatic reactors We wrap up with where Hans sees the future of Nuclear technology