Ep 147: James Stubbins, University of Illinois

In this episode we discuss... Technical challenges of scaling up high temperature nuclear power plant designs The relationship between nuclear power generation efficiency and reaction temperature The effects of oxidation and carbonization on turbine blades in different nuclear reactors How nuclear reactor designs plan for long-term material degradation in critical components Modern methods of analyzing effects of radiation on metal alloys How the impacts of neutrons on metal lattice structures drive material design Performance criteria for critical components of nuclear plant materials How today's nuclear industry is reinvesting in nuclear-related education and research