NUCLEAR SECURITY SCIENCE& POLICY INSTITUTE

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Educating the Next Generation of Leaders in Nuclear Security Sciences

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What is NSSPI?The Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute (NSSPI) 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 International 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.

NSSPI 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.

NSSPI employs science, engineering, and policy expertise to:

• Conductresearchanddevelopmenttohelpdetect,prevent,andreversenuclearandradiologicalproliferationandguardagainstnuclearterrorism

• Educatethenextgenerationofnuclearsecurityleaders

• Analyzetherelationshipbetweenpolicyandtechnologyinthefieldofnuclearsecurity

• Serveasapublicresourceforknowledgeandskillstoreducenuclearthreats

Countering Nuclear Threats

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. NSSPI 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, NSSPI is the preeminent academic institute working in this arena.

A Multidisciplinary Business Structure

Effective solutions to complex nuclear proliferation problems are often multidisciplinary. NSSPI’s organizational structure enables us to seamlessly matrix in the expertise and research talent we need from across the TAMU campus. For example, NSSPI’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.

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Research Staff• Science• Engineering• Policy

Associate Directors• Education• Research• InternationalPrograms• BushSchoolLiaison

Graduate Students

Undergraduate Students

Postdoctoral Associates

Interns

Cross-Campus Expertise & Facilities

• Nonproliferation• Nuclear Forensics• 21st Century Deterrence• Fuel Cycle• Radiation Transport• Detector Development• Engineering• Political Science & Public

Policy

• Research Reactors• Particle Accelerators• Materials Science• Life Sciences• Emergency Management• Risk Assessment• Computer Science• Physical Sciences &

Mathematics

NSSPI Director

3NSSPI Array of Activities

Faculty/Scientist ExchangeSelectresearchersatthenationallabsmaintainjointfacultyappointmentsatTAMU.Thisarrangementexposesourstudentstounique,real-worldnuclearsecurityissues.NSSPIfacultyalsotraveltothelabstoteachcourses.

International Collaborations

NSSPImaintainsclosetieswithinternationalcolleaguestoshareinformationandpromotejointresearchefforts.WeregularlyparticipateinboththeINMMandESARDAinternationalconferencesandworkshops.

Hands-on SafeguardsEducationNSSPIregularlybringsstudentstonationallabs,likeOakRidgeNationalLaboratory,togaindirect,practicalexperiencewithsafeguardstechnology.

Distance EducationNSSPIdevelopsandconductsdistanceeducationcourses.Throughourwebportal,basiccoursesonsafeguardsconceptsareavailabletothepublic.NSSPIfacultyalsogivelecturestointernationalstudentsthroughvideoconferencing.

Students Throughtheclassroomandinteractionswithfaculty,NSSPIintroducesbothgraduateandundergraduatestudentstothescienceandpolicyconcernsinsafeguards,security,andnonproliferation.OurstudentsalsofoundedthefirstINMMstudentchapter.

WorkshopsNSSPIhostsandorganizesdomesticandinternationalworkshopsonglobalnuclearsecuritytopics.

Research FacultyandstudentsinNSSPIconductinnovativeresearchonallaspectsofsafeguards,security,andnonproliferation.

Informingthe Public

Specialareasofourwebsiteprovideinterestedpartiesconvenientaccesstorelevantnewsandresearchonglobalnuclearissues.

Research and development is a key component in the fight against proliferation and nuclear terrorism. NSSPI 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 NSSPI 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 Education, the Department of State, the Carnegie Endowment for International 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.

NSSPI 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. NSSPI staff serve as facilitators to coordinate and engage the various scientific, engineering, and social science disciplines. This model allows NSSPI 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 single-discipline environment.

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EngineeringNuclear

Mechanical

ElectricalChemical

Industrial& Systems

Computer Science

InternationalAffairs

Government

Political Science

PureSciences

PhysicsChemistry

Coordination of Expertise

Math& Statistics

Agriculture& Life Sciences

Political & Social ScienceNSSPI

Research Areas:

ProliferationRiskAnalysis

SafeguardSystems&InstrumentDevelopment

CombatingNuclearTerrorism

NuclearForensics&Attribution

ArmsControl

EnsuringthePeacefulUseofNuclearEnergy

Research

Safeguards Instrumentation Development

NSSPI 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 International 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. NSSPI 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 DissertationsA.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 Pebble-

fueled 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”

ResearchSelected Research Projects

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SHIELD: A Framework for Detecting Smuggled HEUThe SHIELD project is a multi-year, multidisciplinary effort funded by the US DNDO Academic Research Initiative and managed by NSSPI. 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.

Nuclear Weapons Latency

A NSSPI 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.

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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, NSSPI 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.

Traditional classroom-based instruction for both technical and policy students is the backbone of NSSPI’s educational efforts. However, we also pursue educational projects designed to reach non-traditional students outside of TAMU. NSSPI faculty and staff regularly organize and teach courses at the various national laboratories during the summer, and we recently launched the Nuclear Safeguards Education 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.

Nonproliferation Courses at TAMU

NUEN 605–RadiationDetectionandNuclearMaterialsMeasurement

NUEN 650–NuclearNonproliferationandArmsControl

NUEN 651–NuclearFuelCyclesandNuclearMaterialSafeguards

NUEN 656–CriticalAnalysisofNuclearSecurityData

NUEN 489–NuclearSecurityScience

CHEM 681–RadiochemistryandNuclearForensics

MATH 664–InverseProblemsinNuclearForensics

NSSPI 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. NSSPI 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.

NSSPI delivers safeguards education:

• intheclasssroom

• inthelab

• inworkshops

• inshortcourses

• ontheweb

• throughinternationalprograms

Education

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GNEII Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute

Numerous Middle Eastern states are currently expressing interest in nuclear energy. NSSPI, 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. NSSPI 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, 2010.

The Nuclear Safeguards Education Portal (NSEP)

http://nsspi.tamu.edu/NSEP/

Topics include:

• Basic Nuclear & Atomic Physics

• The Nuclear Fuel Cycle

• Basic Radiation Detection

• Introduction to Statistics

• Containment & Surveillance

• Nuclear Material Accountancy

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. NSSPI is committed to the continued availability of this valuable resource and the development of additional modules to serve the safeguards community.

RAP-NISRussian Academic Program on Nonproliferation & International Security

Through the RAP-NIS program, NSSPI 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

Paulo’s Cornerhttp://nsspi.tamu.edu/paulos_corner/

Dr. Paulo Barretto compiles a widely respected daily e-mail 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 NSSPI website, visitors can sign up free of charge to receive Dr. Barretto’s daily email or view and perform searches on current and archived postings.

NSSPI’s Deputy Director, Dr. David Boyle (seated to far right), along with the other signatories of the Letter of Intent to establish GNEII.

“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

Contact:Dr.WilliamCharlton,DirectorDr.DavidBoyle,DeputyDirector

336ZachryEngineeringCenterTexasA&MUniversityCollegeStation,TX77843-3473Phone:979.845.7092Fax:979.845.7497nsspi@tamu.edu

Texas A&M UniversityNSSPI 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.

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NSSPINUCLEAR SECURITY SCIENCE & POLICY INSTITUTE

http://nsspi.tamu.edu

“NSSPI has combined the study of technical subjects related to nonproliferation and safeguards with the equally important subject of policy.”

--CongressmanChetEdwards(March2010) 17thCongressionalDistrictofTexas

“NSSPI 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.”

--JeffJay(March2010) GlobalSecurityProgramManager, SavannahRiverNationalLaboratory

“By collaborating with the National Labs and foreign partners, NSSPI 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.”

--AdamScheinman(March2010) DirectorforNonproliferation, NationalSecurityCouncil

“I have found that employers actively recruit NSSPI students because of the reputation it has built for producing highly-qualified young professionals.”

--KarenMiller(June2010) LosAlamosNationalLaboratory (FormerNSSPIStudent)