Idaho State University, INL host experts from around the world at TRTR meeting Sept. 12-15 in Idaho Falls

Nuclear reactor engineers from around the globe are gathering in Idaho Falls Sept. 12-15 for the National Organization of Test, Research, and Training Reactors annual meeting hosted by Idaho State University and the Idaho National Laboratory at the Shilo Inn in Idaho Falls.

The theme of the TRTR conference is "Using Today's Reactors for Tomorrow’s Renaissance" and it will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 13-14. On Sept. 15 there will be a tour of the INL from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Monday, Sept. 12, there are Standards Committee and Executive Committee meetings.

"The reason ISU is promoting this meeting it to bring focus to the outstanding major nuclear energy laboratory that resides in the East Idaho and to acknowledge the cooperative roles played between ISU and the INL," said Jay Kunze, chair of nuclear engineering and health physics at ISU.

 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is convening two public meetings at the TRTR conference, one on instrumentation and control, the other one on the nuclear licensing process. Eric Loewen, president of the American Nuclear Society, is the main speaker at the annual meeting’s concluding banquet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the Shilo Inn.

"We will be hosting more than 140 people from around the world who work on university and research reactors," said Karen Leibert, conference organizer and program coordinator for the Nuclear Science and Engineering Institute of University Programs at ISU-Idaho Falls. "Idaho State University and the Idaho National Laboratory are partnering to bring this meeting to Southeast Idaho."

The National Organization of Test, Research, and Training Reactors (TRTR) represents research and test reactor facilities across the nation from government, major universities, national laboratories and industry. TRTR's primary mission is education, fundamental and applied research, application of technology in areas of national concern, and improving U.S. technological competitiveness around the world. TRTR membership includes managers and directors of research reactors, educators, administrators, regulators, research scientists and engineers.

The organization regularly holds an annual conference, hosted by a member institution, to discuss current technical and regulatory issues, advances in research and education, operating experience, and development of new applications in medicine, materials, health and safety, information technology, and environmental sciences, among others. TRTR provides expert technical assistance to member institutions and others through peer reviews, audits, and assessments.

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