scholarly journals Robot-Assisted Glovebox Teleoperation for Nuclear Industry

Robotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
Ozan Tokatli ◽  
Pragna Das ◽  
Radhika Nath ◽  
Luigi Pangione ◽  
Alessandro Altobelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Material Handling ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Nuclear Material ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Robotic Manipulation ◽  
Robotic Systems ◽  
Problem Statement ◽  
Robot Assisted ◽  
The World ◽  
Harsh Conditions

The nuclear industry has some of the most extreme environments in the world, with radiation levels and extremely harsh conditions restraining human access to many facilities. One method for enabling minimal human exposure to hazards under these conditions is through the use of gloveboxes that are sealed volumes with controlled access for performing handling. While gloveboxes allow operators to perform complex handling tasks, they put operators at considerable risk from breaking the confinement and, historically, serious examples including punctured gloves leading to lifetime doses have occurred. To date, robotic systems have had relatively little impact on the industry, even though it is clear that they offer major opportunities for improving productivity and significantly reducing risks to human health. This work presents the challenges of robotic and AI solutions for nuclear gloveboxes, and introduces a step forward for bringing cutting-edge technology to gloveboxes. The problem statement and challenges are highlighted and then an integrated demonstrator is proposed for robotic handling in nuclear gloveboxes for nuclear material handling. The proposed approach spans from tele-manipulation to shared autonomy, computer vision solutions for robotic manipulation to machine learning solutions for condition monitoring.

Robotics in Nuclear Materials Processing at LANL: Capabilities and Needs

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron J. Turner ◽  
Troy A. Harden ◽  
Jane A. Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
Material Handling ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Nuclear Material ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Nuclear Materials ◽  
Automated Systems ◽  
Los Alamos National Laboratory ◽  
Materials Handling ◽  
Automation Systems ◽  
Manual Tasks

Nuclear material processing operations present numerous challenges for effective automation. Confined spaces, hazardous materials and processes, particulate contamination, radiation sources, and corrosive chemical operations are but a few of the significant hazards. However, automated systems represent a significant safety advance when deployed in place of manual tasks performed by human workers. The replacement of manual operations with automated systems has been desirable for nearly 40 years, yet only recently are automated systems becoming increasingly common for nuclear materials handling applications. This paper reviews several automation systems which are deployed or about to be deployed at Los Alamos National Laboratory for nuclear material handling operations. The needs that resulted in the development of these systems can be found throughout the nuclear industry. Highlighted are the current social and technological challenges faced in deploying automated systems into hazardous material handling environments and the opportunities for future innovations.

Robotic Interfaces Through Virtual Reality Technology

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Streusand ◽  
John Steuben ◽  
Cameron J. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Material Handling ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Nuclear Material ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Robotic Systems ◽  
Virtual Reality Technology ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Potential Applications

Virtual reality, the ability to view and interact with virtual environments, has changed the way the world solves problems and accomplishes goals. The ability to control a person’s perceptions and interactions with a virtual environment allows programmers to create situations that can be used in numerous fields. Virtual interaction can go from a computer program to an immersive experience with realistic sounds, smells, visuals, and even touch. Research in virtual reality has covered human interaction with virtual reality, different potential applications, and different techniques in creating the virtual environments. This paper reviews several key areas of virtual reality technology and related applications. An application that has large implications for our research is the control of robotic systems. Robotic systems are only as smart as their programming. This limitation often limits the utility of robotic applications in otherwise desirable circumstances. Virtual reality technologies offer the ability to couple the intelligence of a human operator with a physical robotic implementation through a user-friendly virtualized interface. This early-stage research aims to develop a technological foundation that will ultimately lead to a virtual teleoperation interface for robotics in hazardous applications. The resulting system may have applications in nuclear material handling, chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and biomedical research fields.

scholarly journals COVID-19 emergencies around the globe: China’s experience in controlling COVID-19 and lessons learned

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Jin ◽  
Ligong Lu ◽  
Junwei Liu ◽  
Min Cui
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Response ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Global Community ◽  
Problem Statement ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Emergency Response System ◽  
Response System ◽  
The World ◽  
Entire World ◽  
Doctors And Nurses

Abstract Motivation Nations around the world have been significantly impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. China’s strategies for controlling COVID-19 offer valuable lessons for the global community. By learning from China’s experience and lessons, other countries could also find appropriate methods to control the pandemic. Problem statement What measures has China taken to control the pandemic? What lessons has China learned through this pandemic? Approach/methods The literature on China’s lessons and experience in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic was searched and reviewed. Related newspapers and magazines were also searched. Results China’s experience can be summed up as establishing temporary hospitals, strict isolation, experts with a knowledge of COVID-19, and measures that increase social distancing. Conclusions By learning from the experience of China, other countries in the world could eventually find the methods to control the COVID-19 pandemic. An emergency response system should be established in each country. Doctors and nurses are not alone in fighting COVID-19, and the entire world is helping them. With cooperation, current difficulties could be overcome.

scholarly journals Robotic Systems for Prostate Cancer Brachytherapy (Robot-Assisted Systems)

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (29) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. A. Gryaznov ◽  
K. Y. Senchik ◽  
Velichko O. Valerievna ◽  
A. N. Korenkov ◽  
G. S. Kireeva
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Robotic Systems ◽  
Robot Assisted

scholarly journals Dynamic statistical assessment of the competitiveness of an energy generating company (as exemplified by Rosenergoatom Concern JSC)

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-332
Author(s):  
Tatiana A. Burtseva ◽  
Sergey S. Khvorostyannikov ◽  
Anastasia A. Kuznetsova
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
National Economy ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Total Energy Consumption ◽  
Russian Economy ◽  
The World ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
The Government ◽  
High Level

The depletion of traditional organic energy sources and aggravated environmental problems are the reasons why the level of energy efficiency is an important factor in the competitiveness of the national economy. Russia ranks third in the world in terms of total energy consumption and its economy is distinguished by a high level of energy intensity (amount of energy per unit of GDP). In 2019, this figure was 9.62 tons of oil equivalent (toe) per 1 million rubles, which is 40% higher than the world average. The low energy efficiency of the Russian economy is a widely recognized problem. A special decree of the Government of Russia in 2018 sets the task of increasing the level of energy efficiency of the Russian economy by 23% by 2030. One of the ways to solve this problem is the development of nuclear energy, and increasing the competitiveness of nuclear energy is one of the key issues for the national economy. In this connection, solving the problem of assessing the competitiveness of the nuclear industry and its leading companies occupies a key place among the practical scientific problems, the solution of which is facilitated by the results presented by the authors in this article. Rosenergoatom Concern JSC is the leading energy generating company in the Russian nuclear industry. The results of the study of the competitiveness of Rosenergoatom Concern JSC were obtained on the basis of the authors’ methodology for assessing the competitiveness of an energy generating company. The novelty of the presented methodology lies in the developed normative and evaluative model and the coefficients of competitiveness of an energy generating company. The advantages of the authors’ model are that it allows (1) obtaining integral assessments of the competitiveness of a power generating company at short time intervals for a large number of indicators and (2) quantitatively measuring the effects of different factors on the competitiveness of a power generating company, provided that the grouping of indicators of competitiveness of a power generating company is justified by influencing factors. The two factors considered by the authors were: the general market factor and the industry factor. According to the results of the study, it was found that Rosenergoatom Concern JSC demonstrates positive increase of the competitiveness indicator mainly due to the industry factor. With this regard, it was concluded that, within the framework of state policy, it is advisable to strengthen support for the Russian nuclear industry by creating additional conditions and opportunities for its energy generating companies on the domestic energy market.

Pressure Protection Evaluation Program at Savannah River Site

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
James K. Chan ◽  
John W. Ramsey
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Computer Program ◽  
Material Handling ◽  
Nuclear Material ◽  
Savannah River Site ◽  
Pressure Vessels ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Savannah River ◽  
Design Requirements ◽  
River Site

This paper describes the current pressure protection program at Savannah River Site (SRS), a Department of Energy chemical processing and nuclear material handling facility in Aiken, South Carolina. It gives a brief description of the design requirements based on ASME, API, CGA, and ASHRAE Codes. Equipment and systems requiring pressure protection at SRS are primarily pressure vessels, steam stations, process chemical systems, refrigerant and cryogenic systems and other air or gas systems. It is understood that any pressure protection program is built on five fundamental areas of responsibility: procurement, verification, registration, inspection, and repair. This paper focuses on the existing process of facility pressure protection evaluation for code compliance followed by identification of failure scenarios and system design requirements, valve selection and sizing, and verification record generation. Improvements to this process are recognized and discussed. They include the development of a computer program to perform pressure protection evaluation and generate verification records. The software would process all applicable pressure protection calculations using improved methodologies. All relevant data required would be accessible within the program. Pressure safety relief device attributes and system parameters would be displayed. The computer program would enhance design consistency, improve quality and plant safety, and make the pressure protection verification process more efficient and cost effective.

Initial Experiments on the Control of a Mobile Tower Crane

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Vaughan ◽  
William Singhose ◽  
Paulo Debenest ◽  
Edwardo Fukushima ◽  
Shigeo Hirose
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Material Handling ◽  
Operational Efficiency ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Input Shaping ◽  
Oscillatory Dynamics ◽  
Tower Crane ◽  
Operational Capabilities ◽  
The World

Cranes are used extensively throughout the world in a wide variety of construction and material handling applications. The speed at which these cranes are operated is limited by payload oscillation. Input shaping is one method that reduces this oscillation, allowing higher speeds and improving operational efficiency. Another method to improve the operational capabilities of cranes is to allow base motion. This paper presents initial experimental results from a portable, mobile tower crane. A theoretical model of the crane is presented and experimentally verified. The oscillatory dynamics of the crane are highlighted and controllers to combat these unwanted dynamics are presented.

Preventing proliferation: the impact on international politics

1981 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
George H. Quester
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Weapons ◽  
International System ◽  
Nuclear Proliferation ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Economic Exchange ◽  
Military Interventions ◽  
Political Clout ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pariah States

Nine predictions are advanced on the impact on the international system of a successful effort to contain nuclear proliferation.The world will see a modest dilution of the prerogatives of sovereignty, very much tailored to the halting of nuclear weapons spread. Some breakthroughs will be achieved in the multinational management of nuclear industry. Current “pariah states” may escape such status, simply through the latent possibility of nuclear proliferation. Nuclear weapons will continue to go unused in combat, just as they have since 1945. Soviet-American cooperation on the nuclear proliferation front will continue. The traffic in conventional arms may by contrast go relatively unchecked, as most countries conclude that this kind of weapons spread is less bad than nuclear proliferation. All of this will be carried through by statements distorted by the normal deceptions of diplomacy. The world will nonetheless generally become more sophisticated in discounting any glamor or political clout in nuclear weapons programs. Most of the barrier to proliferation will come through normal political and economic exchange, rather than through any violent or military interventions.

GreenPM®

2013 ◽  
pp. 39-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Mochal ◽  
Andrea Krasnoff
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Software Package ◽  
Material Handling ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
The Other ◽  
Management Process ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Unlimited Amount

The world is going green and we are collectively realizing that we do not have an unlimited amount of natural resources to utilize as we have done in the past. Material Handling Industry of America (2007) notes, “Not only do we have climate problems but we are also dealing with a resource depletion issue.” However, the project management profession seems to be in its infancy in applying green standards. How can we apply these “green” concepts to our project management discipline? One obvious way is that we can manage green projects more efficiently. For example, if you are the project manager on a project that will result in using less packaging in your products, it would be good if your project completed on time. The sooner that project ends, the sooner the green benefits will be achieved. On the other hand, if you are dealing with projects such as installing a new software package or upgrading network infrastructure, how can these projects become more environmentally friendly? The answer is Green Project Management (GreenPM®). Green project management is a model that allows project managers to think green throughout a project and make decisions that take into account the impact on the environment—if any. It is a way to ingrain “greenthink” (or green thinking) into every project management process. Greenthink connects the environment with the decisions that are made, whether project-related, professional, or in our everyday lives.

Scope

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Wei Shen ◽  
Benjamin Rouben
Keyword(s):  
Point Of View ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Light Water Reactors ◽  
Reactor Physics ◽  
Light Water ◽  
Computational Schemes ◽  
The World ◽  
Water Reactors ◽  
And Mathematics

From the educational point of view, there are many textbooks on reactor physics used at various universities in the world. However, most of these textbooks focus either on application to Light Water Reactors (LWRs), or on the theory and mathematics, with a significant number of equations and computational schemes. Or else they were written more than 20, or even more than 60, years ago, and therefore they do not reflect the evolution of reactor concepts and engineering requirements since then. All those categories of books are either difficult to follow for non-physicists working in the nuclear industry, or else are of little value for those who are interested in special features of CANDU reactor physics.

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