What changes were made to the RBMK reactors following the Chernobyl accident?

Hi nuclear engineers and enthusiasts! ☢

I’d like to share CROCUS, a LEGO model inspired by our nuclear research reactor at EPFL university in Switzerland. This model is designed as an educational tool to spark curiosity about nuclear science and engineering.

💡 Learn about the project and its role in education in this article from ANS Nuclear Cafe: ANS article.

📢 With your support, this model could become an official Lego set! Help us by voting on LEGO Ideas and sharing the project: Lego Ideas.

🌟 Features:

• Realistic design, including fuel rods, water vessel, control rods, and more!
• Perfect for explaining nuclear principles in a hands-on way to students and the public.
• Combines engineering and creativity, all built with LEGO bricks!

Let’s work together to promote education and demystify nuclear engineering – one brick at a time! 🧱⚙

The LEGO model of CROCUS built and used in class!

I have recently been applying to graduate roles out of university as a nuclear safety engineer and have reached the later stages of of the application process for these two companies, anyone with any experience at either who can provide any pros or cons of either would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Reddit,

I’m a software engineer feeling stuck—saturated market, interview process is broken, the industry feels prestige/ego-driven, and the work often feels meaningless. I recently read about someone's father becoming a doctor in their late 40s (I'm mid 30s), and it inspired me to consider a pivot into nuclear energy.

Why nuclear? I believe in its future and importance for solving global challenges, want to do something pro-America and meaningful, and I’d like to strengthen my hard science background. My strengths are more in strategy, product, and team management, but I’m willing to learn technical skills if needed.

Any advice on transitioning into nuclear energy, especially mid-career? Is this a stupid, fanciful idea? Are there ways to leverage my current skills? If this is not a stupid idea, how would you recommend going about it? Thanks so much in advance.

How did Chernobyl's control rods not being long enough contribute to the disaster?

I recently completed my IGCSEs and am applying to universities to do my foundation.

The current plan I have in mind is to do my pre-u and bachelors degree in the country I live.

Afterwards, finishing my masters in Nuclear Engineering and finding a job abroad since the country I currently live in doesn't really have much of a nuclear industry.

I am still unsure on what I'd like to work as in the industry but what I currently have in mind is either do research or work in a power plant.

One of the universities I've applied to and been accepted would be able to lead me to go to China, but, this university doesn't offer a bachelors directly correlated to nuclear.

Rather, it has:

1. Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics (Honours)

2. Bachelor of Science in Physics (Honours)

3. Bachelor of Engineering in New Energy Science and Engineering (Honours)

4. Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Honours)

5. Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honours)

6. Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering (Honours)

7. Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science and Technology (Honours)

I also do have another university that I've applied to but am still waiting to get accepted, and this university does offer a bachelors directly correlated to nuclear - Bachelor in Nuclear Engineering (Honours) - but, this university is more Japanese oriented, with a department solely dedicated to sending its students to Japan. However, the previously stated degree is outside that department.

The programs under that department are:

1. Bachelor of Electronic System Engineering

2. Bachelor of Chemical Process Engineering

3. Bachelor of Mechanical Precision Engineering

I don't particularly mind either countries as I can speak the basics of both Chinese and Japanese and I believe that in the span of my pre-u and degree, I am able to learn to speak either languages to the point that I won't have any issues once I reach the country. And also due to my background, I am already quite familiar with the cultures of both countries but I've heard that Japan is less "secure" in prospective jobs once I complete my studies when compared to China.

In your opinion, what should I do? Should I go to Japan or China? If Japan, should I pursue the Nuclear engineering degree or go to the Japanese department? And, if China, which aforementioned bachelors would be best?

I understand that this post is very vague and long but I would truly appreciate your opinions/advices and experiences.

Thank you.

I want to study nuclear engineering in Russian due to its low cost (80k with tuition, housing, food and other expenses)compared to the one in Canada (176k with tuition, housing, food and other expenses) also, from what I've been, the studies in the MEPhI in Russia are more specialized than the program in Canada in the Ontario tech university. The problem I see is that Russia has a really bad reputation in most countries and even worse in the US, therefore also in Canada. So I am scared that because of this I couldn't find a job in this countries because of the fear that I might be a spy or something, on top of that Canada has an awful system of academic equivalence, so I am also scared that if I did my studies there the wouldn't be consider as equivalent to Canadian studies. Does anyone has information about this?

Thank you so much!

I’ve wanted to become a nuclear engineer for about three years now, I’m a junior in high school and I’ve tried my hardest to keep up with my classes, I’m in Ap Pre calculus right now and it’s going decently, but I’m very worried about the future. I know the math in Nuclear engineering is very difficult, and I’m starting to really doubt my abilities to pursue a career and education in it in the future. I’m decent at math but I am slower at understanding things than my classmates, I need to ask more questions and study more than the majority of them, and since I do struggle more than the people around me I wonder how poorly that could affect me in the future, if it would be too much stress and I wouldn’t be able to major in nuclear engineering because of the difficult math. But I’m very passionate about it, It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while now, but hearing about how so many engineering students quit and how difficult it can get I wonder if I should just try to pursue something easier.

Current NE Undergrad here. I really do want to continue with this major but the issue I’m having is I feel like I don’t have a good fundamental understanding of what happens inside of a reactor and the physics and chemistry of it all. My professor loves to just throw equations at us without demonstrations or explaining and it doesn’t help a visual learner like myself. Any good YouTube channels or books or anything? Thanks!

I go to an engineering school and I’ve applied to so many companies most I don’t even hear anything back from I’m hoping somebody knows a smaller company I can apply for I’m a current undergrad for Nuc eng

So, for my American friends. Who's going to NIAC tomorrow!?!

Hi. I’m an aerospace engineer who somehow got a job in nuclear engineering. My work is paying for me to take some courses in order to familiarize myself with nuclear; and I figured studying for the Nuclear PE would be shorter than studying for a Nuclear BS.

Essentially, does anyone have any recommendations for learning material (i.e. books, courses, mentors,etc) for the PE exam that essentially start from the fundamentals and not assume any prior knowledge?

Thanks!

Hi. I’m an aerospace engineer who somehow got a job in nuclear engineering. My work is paying for me to take some courses in order to familiarize myself with nuclear; and I figured studying for the Nuclear PE would be shorter than studying for a Nuclear BS.

Essentially, does anyone have any recommendations for learning material (i.e. books, courses, mentors,etc) for the PE exam that essentially start from the fundamentals and not assume any prior knowledge?

Thanks!

I’m applying to colleges to study Nuclear Engineering, and with Black Friday coming up, I’m thinking of buying a laptop for college. I’m considering a MacBook Pro M4 Max with 36 GB of Unified Memory, but I’ve heard that the best operating system depends on your engineering major. I’m finding it challenging to get specific information on whether a MacBook is a good choice for a BS in Nuclear Engineering or if I’d be better off with a Windows laptop. Any guidance on the software I’ll need and which OS works best for it would be greatly appreciated!

Hello

I’m studying an MSc in material science and Eng after doing chem for my undergrad. I’m really interested in working in nuclear either in research or otherwise. Do you guys know what opportunities or things I should look into in Europe, if my degree is suitable(what modules to take), sector outlook, etc?

Thanks

I worked on a nuclear submarine and they were able to change the power output almost instantaneously, but in my electrical energy class my professor told me that nuclear energy is really only good for base load capabilities because of it's slow ramp rate. What is the reason for this discrepancy, or if you want to give me a lesson on nuclear energy what makes a reactor ramp rate slow (or fast).

I am currently making plans with the end goal being a Master's in Nuclear Engineering and am seeking advice.

Which bachelor's degree is preferable to reach my goal?

A Bachelor of Science in Physics (Honours) or a Bachelor of Engineering in New Energy Science and Engineering (Honours)

Basically what the title says. I want to brush up on skills and be prepared for what’s to come.

Hello I'm a nuclear engineering master student, and I want to know what to expect about international/abroad job opportunities. I study in Spain but I want to work elsewhere, I like exploring new places and cultures.

I would love to work in a big city in Asia, or work in a traveling position, ideally earning sufficient amount of money to live by my own.

Are there positions as such in the nuclear industry? What are the best options for getting an overseas job?

Thanks for reading and clarifying my doubts.

I recently completed my IGCSEs and am currently applying to do foundation of physical science at Universities.

I have been very interested in doing Nuclear, either working in power plants or doing RND.

However, I live in Malaysia, which, doesn't really have much of a Nuclear presence outside of a research reactor in the Malaysian Nuclear Agency - which is mainly used for medical purposes - and a Nuclear Engineering Degree from UTM (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia).

We did have plans to construct Nuclear Power Plants but the new government decided to scrap those plans.

So, I'll have to go abroad if I'd like to pursue Nuclear.

Because foundations are very specific, it's best if I stick to the University I did my foundation for my degree, but of course, it isn't impossible for me to go to another university.

Currently, the two universities that I have applied to would lead me abroad but to two different countries.

One is to Japan and the other to China.

I was curious about which country you think is best for my future.

Hello everyone,

My brother is a nuclear engineer and I am trying to come up with gift ideas for him for Christmas. He already has like 3 geiger counters and like a million radioactive glowing plate things. Anyone have any ideas? Budget is around 200

If you compared it to TSAR

Hello i am looking for internships and would like to apply asap i already have a CV and template of multiple cover letters , I choose my 1st choices , but i am very scared of my CV / cover letter quality. If anyone would like to help that would be a huge relief for me I would love to work in cern (particule accelerator in general but cern being my very 1st choice)or new gen nuclear power station If not fusion sound very interesting and learning about plasma physics sound amazing I am also open to hearing about new compagnies Edit: this is for a year in industry , i speak fluently english and french

Great Day!

I started working on doing my Nuclear PE and I am tring to figure out studying resources. Is there an alternative to ANS's $1300 course? Or ar least a discount?

I am a new (may 2024) graduate with my BS in Nuclear Engineering and I am struggling to find work. I am 500+ applications deep. I have had 1 interview with AEP, and Constellation had me take some assessments, which I passed, they gave me interview dates but no location for the interview and have ghosted me since then. Nuclear is in the news constantly, Bill Gates is working on sodium reactors, TMI is reopening, Cascades is reopening (maybe...it seems rough), Egypt is building new reactors, NASA wants to put reactors on the moon, nuclear thermal rockets were approved for mars missions. Everywhere I turn, people are talking about nuclear, and yet I cannot even get an interview.

My first 2 years of undergraduate work was during COVID where everything was remote. I struggled to find internship programs that were still open during that time and they were highly competitive. I didn't really get to know my peers in the NSE program until my last year, and those friendships were very temporary. The few people I have stayed in contact with are either pursuing masters programs or already had jobs lined up, usually through family and friends. I am the first in my family to pursue an engineering degree and I don't have any contacts.

I use the schools job search website (handshake), and have looked through places like Indeed and Glassdoor, I have signed up for email lists at all the national labs and check them daily for job postings. I have worked with my school to build a resume. I built a linked in profile, and reached out to other graduates from my school working in the industry (no responses, 40+). I reached out to the teachers I felt comfortable asking, and they agreed to be a reference for me (which they are), but I couldn't secure a letter of recommendation from them, including offering to write it for them. Overall, I am not sure what else I can do to give me the best chances.

I graduated with a 3.0, which I realize isn't amazing, but I still think is quite good. I worked on very interesting projects during my education. Cybersecurity assessment of the CTBTO, where I build the risk assessment model for xenon detection across the globe, and was the project leader for that project. We presented at our annual engineering EXPO to the president of the school (who seemed very interested, spent a lot of time talking to us). We presented at an ANS conference where we were commended by the judges on our research and our ability to convey such a complex topic in such a short time. We received a 99% on our project and the teacher commended us on the work we did. Every where I turned, I was commended for the excellent work I did.

I really believe that my generation was handed the problem of climate change, and this is the great problem to solve. I went to school as an NSE major because I believe participating in the nuclear industry, and trying to move it forward is the most good I can do for the most people. I have high asperations for changing the way we generate and transmit power, but I have zero experience. I feel I need to get into the industry to understand how it works, and why it works that way, before I can understand what needs to change.

I am now applying for the masters program at my school, but I am afraid. The job hunt has been so bleak, I am afraid I am tying myself to an industry that I am just not good enough for, or don't know anyone who can show me the way. At this point, the real fear is that I will get a masters and still not be able to find a job. While I am a better person for having gone to school and I am glad I did it, I still need to pay the bills. Even "regular" jobs making minimum wage wont higher me. Either I put my education on the resume and I am super overqualified, or don't put my education and I have a 5 year gap in employment history.

What could I do to stand out more? Is there some avenue that I should be pursuing? How can I build social networks that can get me in the door?

I’m interested in this field but unsure what to specialize in, I only know that I don’t want to do radiology. I would like to attend UIUC (the major is called nuclear plasma radiology engineering) but I can like specialize in somthing, however I don’t really even understand what a specializing is. I heard somthing about doing an elective in something or about how the college itself will offer it to you. So my question is 1) explain what specializing is and how you do it. 2) what’s an interesting thing to specialize in? Thanks!!

I am a sophomore in MechE, and I realized that I can technically graduate with my BS in 3 years.

I had great ambitions as a Freshman, so I have three minors (Physics, Electronic Materials, and robotics).

As you can tell, those three minors don't have colossal overlapping, so I have a pretty loaded schedule until graduation. Now, this leads back to the question: should I try for the BSMS in 4 years (i.e. do an IMB with my 3-year BS) or go with my original plan of 3 minors? The reason why I am asking is that I need it to decide what course I should register for in the spring (i.e. should I register for the Junior Cores in the spring or should I register for my minor courses since there are only 2 MechE sophomore cores).

My intention is to work at Fusion Energy Powerplants. The original Plan was to do the BS/3minros and then apply to Direct PhD programs in Nuclear Engineering, but if I do the BS/MS, I might look for a position in the industry in a few years and work on getting a PE before going back to school for a PhD.

Four-year BS/MS will bind me toward my current school, which does not have a Nuclear Engineering Department, and I will only be able to get an MS in Mechanical Engineering and no thesis. I will still give a direct PhD program application a shot next Fall if I do the three-year BS, but since I did kind of poorly my Freshman year and I just started research in May, I don't think I will have an outstanding portfolio under my belt for application.