Speaker: Dr. Katy Huff, University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign
Title: Computational Approaches Enabling New Nuclear Energy
Abstract:
This seminar will explore current key trends and insights shaping the future of nuclear energy policy and deployment both in the U.S. and globally. The speaker will present a potential vision for a net zero future enabled by nuclear power. The narrow path required to turn this vision into reality is not only imperiled by the potential for a softening of national and global climate goals, but it is also challenged by a need to balance nuclear security with deployment. Key elements needed to realize this vision include mobilizing bold private capital investments, scaling a skilled workforce, revitalizing critical supply chains, engaging the public, and embedding safeguards and security into nuclear reactor and facility designs from the outset. As this future approaches, numerous opportunities and challenges will arise, inviting urgent research. The speaker will outline research efforts at the University of Illinois to accelerate nuclear reactor deployment, secure and sustain the front and back ends of the nuclear fuel cycle, and ensure computational nuclear analysis tools are fully prepared to harness the power of the world's fastest computers.
Bio: The Honorable Kathryn D. Huff, PhD, is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. There, she is Director of the Advanced Reactors and Fuel Cycles research group which focuses on robust modeling and simulation of advanced reactors emphasizing scientific software engineering best practices. From May 2021 to May 2024, she took a leave of absence from UIUC to hold multiple positions in the U.S. Department of Energy, including that of Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy. She received her PhD in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013. Her undergraduate degree was in Physics from the University of Chicago.
Seminar Access: In-person seminars are only available to CU ID holders. At this time, Non-Columbia affiliates and the general public are only invited to participate remotely. Contact [email protected] if you would like the Zoom link for this seminar.