Christina Back
Dr. Christina Back is Vice President of Nuclear Technologies and Materials at General Atomics. She is an internationally recognized expert in both fission and fusion energy research, with over 30 years of experience leading research for private industry, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and U.S. Department of Defense. She regularly serves on National Academy of Sciences, national laboratory, and university committees. As a technical expert, she has been invited to the 2015 White House Summit on Nuclear Energy and provided testimony to U.S. Congressional Committees. Dr. Back earned a B.S. from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Florida. She has over one hundred peer-reviewed publications, two patents, and was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society. At General Atomics, Dr. Back is responsible for all nuclear fission programs and related technology development. Major thrust areas include space and terrestrial advanced reactors, accident-tolerant nuclear fuel, and energy storage solutions. In today’s world, space has become accessible to all. She views space nuclear power and propulsion technologies as critically important to explore and protect the space domain.
Abstract Title: Modernizing nuclear power with ceramic matrix composites
Nuclear energy is at a crossroads. Aging technology from the 50s and the surging need for sustained, reliable power to feed the growing artificial intelligence demands are driving a reexamination of what it means to be a modern nuclear power plant. Faced with reactor plant retirements, the industry is taking advantage of new materials to extend and enhance the lifetime of current reactors. This path for current and advanced reactors is enabled by the powerful advances in modeling and simulation that are used in conjunction with prototyping and testing to efficiently adopt new materials in this highly regulated industry.
In this plenary we will examine the advances underlying the customization of composites for nuclear energy applications. Using SiC composites for nuclear fuel rods as an example, the presentation will provide an overview of the fabrication methodology, advanced characterization methods, importance of engineered design, and prototypic testing necessary for efficient and informed adoption of ceramic matrix composites. From the harsh environments of a nuclear reactor to those in aerospace, hypersonic and space applications, CMCs can be engineered to play an expanding role because of their resistance to high temperature and high stress.