Education. Research. International. Engagement NUCLEAR SECURITY SCIENCE & POLICY INSTITUTE

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Edmund Crawford
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1 NUCLEAR SECURITY SCIENCE & POLICY INSTITUTE Educating the Next Generation of Leaders in Nuclear Security Sciences Engagement

What is? The Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute () is a multidisciplinary organization at Texas A&M University (TAMU).

We work in collaboration with US national laboratories, the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and other partners to address the problems associated with the malicious use of nuclear materials and to study

William Charlton Array of Activities Students Through the classroom and interactions with faculty, introduces both graduate and undergraduate students to the science and policy concerns in

Hands-on Safeguards regularly brings students to national labs, like Oak Ridge National Laboratory, to gain direct, practical experience with safeguards technology.

Service. This team brings a unique capability to bear on complex nuclear threats and proliferation challenges involving both policy and technology.

Educate the next generation of nuclear security leaders Analyze the relationship between policy and technology in the field of nuclear security Serve as a public resource for knowledge and skills to

s organizational structure enables us to seamlessly matrix in the expertise and research talent we need from across the TAMU campus.

Chemistry, the Cyclotron Institute, Political Science, and the Bush School of Government and Public Service.

Distance develops and conducts distance education courses. Through our web portal, basic courses on safeguards concepts are available to the public.

2 What is? The Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute () is a multidisciplinary organization at Texas A&M University (TAMU). It focuses on graduate education, research, and service related to the safeguarding of nuclear materials and the reduction of nuclear threats. We work in collaboration with US national laboratories, the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and other partners to address the problems associated with the malicious use of nuclear materials and to study policy issues related to nuclear security. Director, Dr. William Charlton Array of Activities Students Through the classroom and interactions with faculty, introduces both graduate and undergraduate students to the science and policy concerns in safeguards, security, and nonproliferation. Our students also founded the first INMM student chapter. Hands-on Safeguards regularly brings students to national labs, like Oak Ridge National Laboratory, to gain direct, practical experience with safeguards technology. 2 combines the talent of internationally recognized researchers from the US s largest nuclear engineering department with renowned policy expertise from TAMU s Bush School of Government and Public Service. This team brings a unique capability to bear on complex nuclear threats and proliferation challenges involving both policy and technology. employs science, engineering, and policy expertise to: Conduct research and development to help detect, prevent, and reverse nuclear and radiological proliferation and guard against nuclear terrorism Educate the next generation of nuclear security leaders Analyze the relationship between policy and technology in the field of nuclear security Serve as a public resource for knowledge and skills to reduce nuclear threats Countering Nuclear Threats A Multidisciplinary Business Structure Effective solutions to complex nuclear proliferation problems are often multidisciplinary. s organizational structure enables us to seamlessly matrix in the expertise and research talent we need from across the TAMU campus. For example, s current research projects employ faculty researchers and students from the College of Engineering (Nuclear, Chemical, Electrical, Systems, and Computer Science); Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, the Cyclotron Institute, Political Science, and the Bush School of Government and Public Service. Director Associate Directors Programs Bush School Liaison Staff Science Engineering Policy Workshops hosts and organizes domestic and international workshops on global nuclear security topics. Distance develops and conducts distance education courses. Through our web portal, basic courses on safeguards concepts are available to the public. faculty also give lectures to international students through video conferencing. Informing the Public Special areas of our website provide interested parties convenient access to relevant news and research on global nuclear issues. Faculty and students in conduct innovative research on all aspects of safeguards, security, and nonproliferation. 3 The proliferation of nuclear weapons, materials, equipment, and information is a major threat to world peace. And the threat of nuclear or radiological weapons use by sub-national groups is growing. integrates science, technology, and policy to develop innovative and effective approaches to understand and reduce these threats. Multiple agencies within the US government currently lead a variety of research programs to reduce and counter nuclear threats. Nevertheless, there is an increasing need for university participation in the areas of nuclear nonproliferation and international nuclear security. Given its strong relationships with the national laboratories, the military, the intelligence community, and other government agencies, is the preeminent academic institute working in this arena. Cross-Campus Expertise & Facilities Nonproliferation Nuclear Forensics 21st Century Deterrence Fuel Cycle Radiation Transport Detector Development Engineering Political Science & Public Policy Graduate Students Undergraduate Students Reactors Particle Accelerators Materials Science Life Sciences Emergency Management Risk Assessment Computer Science Physical Sciences & Mathematics Postdoctoral Associates Interns Collaborations maintains close ties with international colleagues to share information and promote joint research efforts. We regularly participate in both the INMM and ESARDA international conferences and workshops. Faculty/Scientist Exchange Select researchers at the national labs maintain joint faculty appointments at TAMU. This arrangement exposes our students to unique, real-world nuclear security issues. faculty also travel to the labs to teach courses.

Selected Projects 4 and development is a key component in the fight against proliferation and nuclear terrorism.

Collaborators include key federal agencies, national laboratories, the IAEA, universities, and non-governmental organizations.

the Department of, the Department of State, the Carnegie Endowment for Peace, the National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, Lawrence

We organize carefully-sized research teams with students and faculty from multiple disciplines to develop targeted solutions for a wide variety of nuclear security problems.

3 Selected Projects 4 and development is a key component in the fight against proliferation and nuclear terrorism. conducts collaborative research with partners across the TAMU campus, throughout the US, and internationally. Collaborators include key federal agencies, national laboratories, the IAEA, universities, and non-governmental organizations. Funding for recent research projects has come from the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, the Department of, the Department of State, the Carnegie Endowment for Peace, the National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. has a strong focus on multi-disciplinary research. We organize carefully-sized research teams with students and faculty from multiple disciplines to develop targeted solutions for a wide variety of nuclear security problems. Each of these teams typically includes at least one policy expert. staff serve as facilitators to coordinate and engage the various scientific, engineering, and social science disciplines. This model allows to tap into the vast array of expertise and the world-class research facilities available across the TAMU campus. As a result, we develop solutions that would not be conceived of in a singlediscipline environment. Areas: Proliferation Risk Analysis SHIELD: A Framework for Detecting Smuggled HEU The SHIELD project is a multi-year, multidisciplinary effort funded by the US DNDO Academic Initiative and managed by. The work is devising a framework for designing and evaluating detector systems, integrating detector sensor concepts, forward radiation transport models, inverse analysis, systems and risk analysis, and social science/policy aspects of the problem. The objective is to attain breakthrough improvements in the nation s ability to detect domestic nuclear threats. A Framework for Smuggled HEU Detection Nuclear Weapons Latency MCNP simulation model of a cargo container A research team is developing a quantitative tool that can predict a state s nuclear weapons latency, i.e., the effective time required for a non-nuclear weapon state to develop a conventionally deliverable nuclear weapon capability. In addition to a state s motivations, the tool accounts for the current level of technology existing in the state, the resources available, the possibility of technology imports, and all potential pathways to a nuclear weapon. A clear understanding of nuclear weapons latency is vital in a world moving toward zero nuclear weapons and absolutely critical in world free of nuclear weapons. Safeguards Instrumentation Development Safeguards Instrumentation Development is collaborating with Los Alamos National Laboratory on the development of the SINRD detector system. SINRD (Self- Induced Neutron Resonance Densitometry) is a non-destructive analysis (NDA) instrument that will allow for the measurement of fissile material in fresh and used nuclear fuel. This NDA capability is important for implementing effective international safeguards and can provide the Atomic Energy Agency a significantly improved deterrent for the diversion of fissile material by increasing the probability of early detection. Nuclear Forensics A key element of deterring nuclear terrorism is the swift attribution of any malevolent event to a particular state or organization. By quickly identifying the responsible party after a nuclear event, national authorities can hold the appropriate people accountable for their actions. is developing nuclear forensics methods that can be applied to pre- and post-detonation nuclear forensics. For example, our codes can perform forward and inverse analysis of nuclear and radiological materials to associate the present day characteristics of a sample with the provenance of that sample. Selected Theses and Dissertations View of the SINRD unit internals used in experimental measurements at LANL 5 Computer Science Chemical Electrical Nuclear Engineering Industrial & Systems Math & Statistics Mechanical Physics Pure Sciences Chemistry Agriculture & Life Sciences Affairs Political Political Science & Social Science Government Coordination of Expertise Safeguard Systems & Instrument Development Combating Nuclear Terrorism Nuclear Forensics & Attribution Arms Control Ensuring the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy, LANL, and ORNL researchers performing spent-fuel measurements A.M. Lafleur, August 2011, Development of Self-Interrogation Neutron Resonance Densitometry (SINRD) to Measure the Fissile Content in Nuclear Fuel E.T. Gitau, August 2011, Development and Evaluation of a Safeguards System Concept for a Pebblefueled High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor C.M. Ryan, May 2011, Determining the Impact of Concrete Roadways on Gamma Ray Background Readings for Radiation Portal Monitoring Systems G.R. Hundley, August 2010, Bayesian Network Analysis of Radiological Dispersal Device Acquisitions A. Stafford, August 2010, Spent Nuclear Fuel Self-Induced XRF to Predict Pu to U Content J. Feener, May 2010, Safeguards for Uranium Extraction (UREX) +1A Process B. Goddard, Dec 2009, Real-Time Detection of UREX+3a Extraction Streams for Materials Accountancy E. Rauch, May 2009, Safeguards Approach for a Small Graphite-Moderated Reactor... R. Metcalf, May 2009, New Tool for Proliferation Resistance Evaluation Applied to Uranium and Thorium Fueled Fast Reactor Fuel Cycles J. Miller, Dec 2008, Analytical Inverse Model for Post-Event Attribution of Plutonium C. Freeman, Aug 2008, Bayesian Network Analysis of Nuclear Acquisitions D. Sweeney, Aug 2008, Reactor Power History from Fission Product Signatures A. Thornton, May 2008, Portable Neutron Coincidence Counter for Field Measurements T. Woddi, Dec 2007, Fuel Cycle Assessment of India: A Technical Study for Nuclear Cooperation K. Chesson, May 2007, Nuclear Archaeology of Graphite Moderated Reactor Systems to Determine Historical Plutonium Production

6 In the US today there is a growing need for graduate-level technical education focused on nuclear safeguards and nuclear nonproliferation.

In response, faculty and staff have developed at TAMU the most robust technical nonproliferation and safeguards education program in the US.

security, nuclear terrorism, and advanced monte carlo modeling; the nation s first technical academic certificate in Nuclear Forensics; and tabletop exercises involving political and technical

Nonproliferation Courses at TAMU NUEN 605 Radiation Detection and Nuclear Materials Measurement delivers safeguards education: in the classsroom in the lab in workshops in short courses on the web

However, we also pursue educational projects designed to reach non-traditional students outside of TAMU.

4 6 In the US today there is a growing need for graduate-level technical education focused on nuclear safeguards and nuclear nonproliferation. This problem has long been identified in the nuclear community as one of the critical challenges facing the world today. In response, faculty and staff have developed at TAMU the most robust technical nonproliferation and safeguards education program in the US. This program includes: an accredited Master of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering focusing on Nuclear Nonproliferation; graduate and undergraduate courses in safeguards, nonproliferation, physical security, nuclear terrorism, and advanced monte carlo modeling; the nation s first technical academic certificate in Nuclear Forensics; and tabletop exercises involving political and technical aspects of global nuclear security strategy and WMD consequence management. Nonproliferation Courses at TAMU NUEN 605 Radiation Detection and Nuclear Materials Measurement delivers safeguards education: in the classsroom in the lab in workshops in short courses on the web through international programs Traditional classroom-based instruction for both technical and policy students is the backbone of s educational efforts. However, we also pursue educational projects designed to reach non-traditional students outside of TAMU. faculty and staff regularly organize and teach courses at the various national laboratories during the summer, and we recently launched the Nuclear Safeguards Portal (NSEP). This is an online resource providing asynchronous distance education modules to the public on a number of introductory topics important to new members of the nuclear safeguards community. RAP-NIS Russian Academic Program on Nonproliferation & Security Through the RAP-NIS program, is collaborating with Russian universities to promote a sustainable safeguards culture in Russia and increase understanding of nonproliferation issues. The program s main activities include: Joint research in nonproliferation issues Extensive faculty and student interaction Foreign field experiences for students The Foreign Field Experience brings together students from the US and Russia to tour facilities in the nuclear fuel cycle in various countries. This initiative brings together the future leaders in this field and enables them to form important networks at the outset of their careers. This represents a new paradigm in building a safe and secure nuclear future. --Congressman Chet Edwards, 17th Congressional District of Texas The Nuclear Safeguards Portal (NSEP) Topics include: Basic Nuclear & Atomic Physics The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Basic Radiation Detection Introduction to Statistics Containment & Surveillance Nuclear Material Accountancy Paulo s Corner Dr. Paulo Barretto compiles a widely respected daily news digest for people following nuclear policy and technology throughout the world. Every day he selects and summarizes global news articles of the greatest relevance to those interested in nuclear issues. On the website, visitors can sign up free of charge to receive Dr. Barretto s daily or view and perform searches on current and archived postings. GNEII Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute Numerous Middle Eastern states are currently expressing interest in nuclear energy., teamed with Sandia National Labs, is developing a series of course modules aimed at building up regional human capacity for safely and securely managing nuclear energy programs. and SNL experts will initially teach theses courses at the newly-established Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute (GNEII) in the United Arab Emirates. The institute will focus on safety, security, and safeguards with the long-term goal of establishing an indigenous nuclear security culture in the region that conforms to global standards. GNEII was recently cited by The White House as number 5 in its list of the Top 17 Science and Technology Activities accomplishing U.S. government science and technology engagement with the Muslim world for the period of June 4, 2009 through June 4, NUEN 650 Nuclear Nonproliferation and Arms Control NUEN 651 Nuclear Fuel Cycles and Nuclear Material Safeguards NUEN 656 Critical Analysis of Nuclear Security Data NUEN 489 Nuclear Security Science CHEM 681 Radiochemistry and Nuclear Forensics MATH 664 Inverse Problems in Nuclear Forensics is also heavily involved in international educational collaborations. We work to develop nuclear security technical education programs with three premier Russian universities: Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (MEPhI), Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU), and Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering (IATE). We recently finalized an agreement with Mangalore University (MU) in India, and in 2010, students from MU enrolled in our nonproliferation M.S. program. is also a founding partner in the Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute (GNEII) in Abu Dhabi, collaborating with Sandia National Laboratory and the United Arab Emirates to form the first regional educational institute supporting the safe, reliable, and responsible expansion of nuclear power in the Middle East. In only the first year of availability, approximately 1100 unique users accessed NSEP from around the world. This level of outreach would have been impossible in a more traditional, classroom-based approach. is committed to the continued availability of this valuable resource and the development of additional modules to serve the safeguards community. s Deputy Director, Dr. David Boyle (seated to far right), along with the other signatories of the Letter of Intent to establish GNEII.

5 Texas A&M University Texas A&M is a public university dedicated to research and innovation. supports graduate education at Texas A&M University by mentoring students and providing them with relevant research experience in the nuclear security sciences. TAMU was established in 1876 as the first public institution of higher education in Texas and is one of the state s flagship universities. It was also the first university in the US to receive land, sea, and space grant designations. TAMU has over 2,800 faculty, 9,400 graduate and professional students, and more than 39,000 undergraduate students on a spacious campus. TAMU ranks fourth in the admission of new National Merit Scholars, sixth in total value of endowments, and eleventh in research funding nationally. The Washington Monthly, which includes research, community service, and social mobility among its evaluation criteria, ranks TAMU as fifth among US universities. Furthermore, TAMU boasts the nation s largest nuclear engineering department with knowledgeable faculty members spanning a large spectrum of expertise. In 2008, the department was identified by the IAEA as one of only two US programs listed in their world s best colleges for nuclear engineering education. has combined the study of technical subjects related to nonproliferation and safeguards with the equally important subject of policy. --Congressman Chet Edwards (March 2010) 17th Congressional District of Texas provides an exceptional business model on how to merge policy and technology into an interdisciplinary approach in solving some of the world s most complex proliferation challenges. --Jeff Jay (March 2010) Global Security Program Manager, Savannah River National Laboratory NUCLEAR SECURITY SCIENCE & POLICY INSTITUTE Contact: Dr. William Charlton, Director Dr. David Boyle, Deputy Director 336 Zachry Engineering Center Texas A&M University College Station, TX Phone: Fax: nsspi@tamu.edu By collaborating with the National Labs and foreign partners, play[s] a vital role in educating students on technical and policy aspects of nuclear proliferation and in placing students in positions where they could gain valuable skills and experience in the nuclear fuel cycle and international nuclear safeguards. --Adam Scheinman (March 2010) Director for Nonproliferation, National Security Council I have found that employers actively recruit students because of the reputation it has built for producing highly-qualified young professionals. --Karen Miller (June 2010) Los Alamos National Laboratory (Former Student)

Educate New Generation on Nuclear Technology through Collaborating Engineering Project

Educate New Generation on Nuclear Technology through Collaborating Engineering Project Abstract Suxia Cui, John Fuller, Pamela Holland-Obiomon, and Warsame H. Ali Electrical and Computer Engineering Department