Welcome to the Nuclear Energy Sensors (NES) website! This website provides a searchable sensors technology database for nuclear applications. It provides information on current state of sensors development, availability, use cases, and also helps identify needs and gaps for sensor development.
Introduction
This website was developed as part of the Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) Advanced Sensors and Instrumentation (ASI) program. The objective of this effort is to provide a portal for sensors technologies for nuclear energy, where information on the current state-of-the art sensors is searchable and can be added to as sensor technology advances. The goal is to assist users with (1) identifying commercial and research-grade measurement technologies that may be applicable to specific advanced reactor concepts; (2) identifying sensor technology needs and gaps for one or more advanced reactors, and; (3) providing a moderated approach for users to share advances in sensor technology and connect with subject matter experts.
Capabilities
The website grew out of an advanced reactor sensors technology assessment document developed for DOE-NE. The focus of this site is on sensors for advanced reactors, defined as non-light-water cooled reactors. The assessment of sensor technologies was based sensor technologies used in previously operated advanced reactors and expected measurement needs in advanced reactor concepts that are currently being studied. The website includes both publicly available and proprietary information on nuclear energy sensor technologies, including (where available):
- Applicable measurement environments and potential measurement locations (use cases) within the plant
- Measurement ranges, span, uncertainties
- Sourcing information for commercially available sensors
- Measurement needs and gaps for multiple advanced reactor concepts
Reference material for much of the information is also accessible through the website, with more reference information being added over time.
The website also allows authenticated users to provide information for inclusion in the website. Such information is typically added once it has been reviewed and vetted by a group of subject matter experts.