Nuclear engineering
From Free net encyclopedia
Nuclear engineering is the practical application of the atomic nucleus gleaned from principles of nuclear physics and the interaction between radiation and matter. This field of engineering includes the design, analysis, development, testing, operation and maintenance of nuclear fission systems and components, specifically, nuclear reactors, nuclear power plants and/or nuclear weapons. The field can also include the study of nuclear fusion, medical applications of radiation, nuclear safety, heat transport, nuclear fuels technology, nuclear proliferation, and the effect of radioactive waste or radioactivity in the environment.
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Typical training
The following is the typical coursework included in most U.S. nuclear engineering degree programs. Programs in other countries are similar in breadth but may not be as deep in terms of coursework.
College preparation
As with any engineering discipline, college preparation should include mathematics training through the beginnings of calculus, as well as introductory courses in physics and chemistry.
Undergraduate coursework
Undergraduate coursework should begin with a foundation in mechanics and dynamics of particle motion, thermodynamics, introductory computer programming, college level physics and chemistry, and a rigorous training in mathematics through differential equations.
Midway through undergraduate training a nuclear engineer must choose a specialisation within their field that they will further study. Further coursework in a nuclear engineering program includes but are not limited to fluid mechanics, reactor physics, quantum mechanics, thermal hydraulics, linear circuits, radiation effects, and neutron transport.
Specialization in fission, includes the study of nuclear reactors, fission systems, and nuclear power plants, the primary teachings deal with neutronics and thermal-hydraulics for nuclear generated electricity. A firm foundation in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics in addition to hydrodynamics is a must.
Specialization in nuclear fusion includes electrodynamics and plasmas. This area is very much research oriented and training often terminates with a graduate level degree.
Specialization in nuclear medicine, includes courses dealing with doses and absorption of radiation in bodily tissues. Those who get competency in this area usually move into the medical field. Many nuclear engineers in this specialisation go on to become board licensed medical physicists or go to medical school and become a radiation oncologist. Research is also a common choice for graduates.
Naval Nuclear Power School
The U.S. Navy runs a program called Naval Nuclear Power School to train both officers and enlisted sailors for nuclear plant operation. While some officers have undergraduate backgrounds in nuclear engineering, most have earned their undergraduate degrees in other engineering disciplines. Also, most of the enlisted students hold no college degrees at all. Despite this, they are prepared, through a rigorous training program (lasting between 65 weeks for Machinist's Mates and eighteen months for Electronics Technicians and Electrician's Mates), to operate the nuclear and steam plants aboard the navy's submarines and aircraft carriers. This training carries Department of Energy certification, and many sailors choose to work at civilian power plants after their six-year obligations are completed.
 HMS Vanguard, a Vanguard-class nuclear ballistic missile (SSBN) submarine |
 USS Virginia, a Virginia-class nuclear attack (SSN) submarine |
 USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)), the ninth and penultimate Nimitz-class supercarrier |
Specialties
Fission
The United States gets about 20% of its electricity from nuclear power. This is a massive industry and keeping the supply of nuclear engineers plentiful will ensure its stability. Nuclear engineers in this field generally work, directly or indirectly, in the nuclear power industry or for government labs. Current research in industry is directed at producing economical, proliferation resistant reactor designs with passive safety features. Although government labs research the same areas as industry, they also study a myriad of other issues such as: nuclear fuels and nuclear fuel cycles, advanced reactor designs, and nuclear weapon design and maintenance.
 Nuclear Powerplant |
 B-61 thermonuclear weapon |
Fusion
Research areas include high-temperature, radiation-resistant materials, and plasma dynamics. Internationally, research is currently directed at building a prototype tokamak called ITER. The research at ITER will primarily focus on instabilities and diverter design refinement. Researchers in the USA are also building an inertial confinement experiment called the National Ignition Facility or NIF. NIF will be used to refine neutron transport calculations for the US stockpile stewardship initiative.
 NIF (National Ignition Facility) target chamber |
 JET (Joint European Torus) tokamak |
Nuclear medicine
An important field is nuclear medicine. From x-ray machines to MRI to PET among many others, nuclear medicine provides most of modern medicine's diagnostic capability along with providing many treatment options.
 X-Ray Image of a male skull |
 Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan of a head. |
 PET taken with an ECAT Exact HR+ PET Scanner |
Nuclear engineering organizations
- American Nuclear Society
- International Atomic Energy Agency
- Institution of Nuclear Engineers (London)
List of U.S. colleges offering nuclear engineering degrees
See also
- Atomic physics
- Nuclear fuel
- Nuclear material
- Nuclear physics
- Nuclear power
- Nuclear reactor
- Thermal hydraulics