Steve Skutnik, assistant professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at UT will discuss “Trash or Treasure? Options for Managing Spent Nuclear Fuel” at the next UT Science Forum Friday, Sept. 16.
Nuclear power is by far the largest non-emitting source of electricity generation in the US. However, one of the most intractable challenges for the continued use of nuclear energy is in the ultimate fate of spent fuel when it is used up; or in other words, “What do we do about the waste?” To date, nearly all spent fuel assemblies from reactors are stored on-site in pools and concrete casks. Yet while the ultimate fate of spent nuclear fuel remains a daunting political and social challenge, viable technical options for spent fuel are numerous, including deep geological sequestration as well as reusing of many of the longest-lived components as new fuel in advanced reactors. In this talk, Skutnik will discuss the current challenges with managing spent fuel and potential pathways forward.
The UT Science Forum takes place Friday, Sept. 16 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the Thompson-Boling Arena Cafe (located at 1600 Phillip Fulmer Way), Rooms C-D.
Guests are encouraged to bring their lunch or purchase it from the arena. Each 40-minute presentation is followed by a Q&A. The event is free and open to the public.
Additionally, this year, we have temporary parking passes available for our guests who do not have UT parking passes. An RSVP is required for the pass. Please email Amanda Womac for more details.