Michael Reichenberger

Profile Information
Name
Dr. Michael Reichenberger
Institution
Idaho National Laboratory
Position
Radiation Measurement Scientist
Affiliation
Radiation Measurement Laboratory
h-Index
6
ORCID
0000-0001-8749-4645
Biography

Michael completed his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering at Kansas State University (KSU) in 2017. After completing a post-doctoral assignment at KSU in 2018, he began his present role as technical lead of the Radiation Measurements Laboratory (RML) at the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). Michael is modernizing the RML and enhancing the capabilities and services of ATR. Michael is an expert in reactor instrumentation and was recognized for his expertise on the “Titans of Nuclear” podcast in 2019. He has extensive experience with the design, fabrication, testing, and analysis of both traditional reactor dosimetry and innovative real-time nuclear sensors. A co-inventor of the Micro-Pocket Fission Detector (MPFD), Michael has first-hand experience with the difficulties of fabricating and deploying in-core instruments at research reactors. Michael has previously led efforts at KSU to deploy MPFDs at the KSU research nuclear reactor as well as to deliver numerous neutron flux sensor arrays to the Naval Nuclear Laboratory.

Expertise
Fission Chamber, Gamma Spectrometry, Measurement Technologies, Neutron Activation Analysis, Neutron Detection Sensors, Scintillation Detectors, Scintillator, Semiconductors
Publications:
"Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors (MPFDs) for In-Core Neutron Detection" Douglas McGregor, Michael Reichenberger, Jeremy Roberts, Troy Unruh, Philip Ugorowski, Takashi Ito, Sarah Stevenson, Daniel Nichols, Annals of Nuclear Energy Vol. 87 2015 318-323 Link
Neutron sensors capable of real-time measurement of neutrons in high-flux environments are necessary for tests aimed at demonstrating the performance of experimental nuclear reactor fuels and materials in material test reactors (MTRs). In-core Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors (MPFDs) have been studied at Kansas State University for many years. Previous MPFD prototypes were successfully built and tested with promising results. Efforts are now underway to develop advanced MPFDs with radiation-resistant, high-temperature materials capable of withstanding irradiation test conditions in high performance material and test reactors. Stackable MPFDs have been designed, built, and successfully demonstrated as in-core neutron sensors. Advances in the electrodeposition and measurement of neutron reactive material, along with refinements to composition optimization simulations, have enhanced the capabilities of contemporary MPFDs.
NSUF Articles:
DOE Awards 31 RTE Proposals, Opens FY-20 1st Call - Projects total $1.1 million; Next proposals due 10/31 Awards will go to 22 principal investigators from universities, six from national laboratories, and three from foreign universities. Tuesday, September 17, 2019 - Calls and Awards, Announcement
Additional Publications:
"Advanced Test Reactor Neutron Dosimetry Report - Cycle 173-C" Billy Walker, Michael Reichenberger, Kelly McCary, [2025] · DOI: 10.2172/2566754
"Advanced Test Reactor Neutron Dosimetry Report" Michael Reichenberger, Dani Ottaway, Kelly McCary, [2024] · DOI: 10.2172/2477044
"Results of Neutron Dosimetry Measurements for the Advanced Test Reactor Cycle 172A-1" Kelly McCary, Christopher Jones, Michael Reichenberger, [2024] · DOI: 10.2172/2448226
"Gamma-Ray Emitting Radionuclides Concentrations and Decontamination Factors of ATR Loop Liquid Samples: Cycle 172A" Michael Reichenberger, Kelly McCary, Dani Ottaway, [2024] · DOI: 10.2172/2370153
"Measured Thernal and Fast Neutron Fluence Rates ATR Cycles 171B MP-2 (Rev. 0)" Michael Reichenberger, Christopher Jones, [2024] · DOI: 10.2172/2335900
"Measured Thermal and Fast Neutron Fluence Rates ATR Cycles 171B AFC (Rev. 0)" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2024] · DOI: 10.2172/2337442
"Measured Thermal and Fast Neutron Fluence Rates ATR Cycles 171B ATF (Rev. 0)" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2024] · DOI: 10.2172/2339690
"Measured Thermal and Fast Neutron Fluence Rates ATR Cycles 171B NuScale (Rev. 0)" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2024] · DOI: 10.2172/2336757
"Improving to the neutron fluence rate monitor measurement system at the Advanced Test Reactor [Poster]" Kelly McCary, Michael Reichenberger, [2024] · DOI: 10.2172/2367534
"Measured Thermal and Fast Neutron Fluence Rates ATR Cycles 171A MP-2" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2024] · DOI: 10.2172/2324620
"Measured Thermal and Fast Neutron Fluence Rates ATR Cycles 171B.SR" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2024] · DOI: 10.2172/2337616
"Gamma-Ray Emitting Radionuclides Concentrations and Decontamination Factors of ATR Loop Liquid Samples Cycle 171B" Christopher Jones, Michael Reichenberger, [2024] · DOI: 10.2172/2336758
"Improving to the neutron fluence rate monitor measurement system at the Advanced Test Reactor" Kelly McCary, Michael Reichenberger, [2023] · DOI: 10.2172/2361020
"Performance Benchmark of Commercial and Developmental Fission Chambers in Elevated Temperatures" Michael Reichenberger, Grégoire de Izarra, Loïc Barbot, Kevin Tsai, [2023] · DOI: 10.2172/2299516
"Measured Thermal and Fast Neutron Fluence Rates ATR Cycles 171A AFC (Rev. 1)" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2023] · DOI: 10.2172/2203097
"Measured Thermal and Fast Neutron Fluence Rates ATR Cycles 171A ATF (Rev. 1)" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2023] · DOI: 10.2172/2203283
"Measured Thermal and Fast Neutron Fluence Rates ATR Cycles 171A IR TMIST 3B" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2023] · DOI: 10.2172/2222665
"Measured Thermal and Fast Neutron Fluence Rates ATR Cycles 171A MP-2 (Rev. 1)" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2023] · DOI: 10.2172/2203282
"Gamma-Ray Emitting Radionuclides Concentrations and Decontamination Factors of ATR Loop Liquid Samples: Cycle 171A" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2023] · DOI: 10.2172/2000865
"Measured Thermal and Fast Neutron Fluence Rates ATR Cycles 171A" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2023] · DOI: 10.2172/2203427
"Experiment Validation Protocol for Flux Wire Measurements in the Advanced Test Reactor" Michael A. Reicheberger, Bryon J. Curnutt, Dong O. Choe, Irina Glagolenko, Jody Henley, Joseph W. Nielsen, [2022] Nuclear Technology · DOI: 10.1080/00295450.2022.2067448 · ISSN: 0029-5450
"In-Canal Assay of High Specific Activity 60Co at the Advanced Test Reactor" Jagoda M. Urban-Klaehn, Jason V. Brookman, Joshua L. Peterson-Droogh, Jorge Navarro, Richard H. Howard, Michael A. Reichenberger, [2022] Nuclear Technology · DOI: 10.1080/00295450.2021.1903299 · ISSN: 0029-5450
"Simulated Performance of the Micro-Pocket Fission Detector in the Advanced Test Reactor Critical Facility" Michael A. Reichenberger, Andrew D. Maile, Mary R. Holtz, Douglas S. McGregor, Daniel M. Nichols, [2021] Nuclear Science and Engineering · DOI: 10.1080/00295639.2021.1898922 · ISSN: 0029-5639
"MEASURED THERMAL AND FAST NEUTRON FLUENCE RATES FOR EPRI HOLDER DURING CYCLE 168B" Michael Reichenberger, Larry Smith, [2021] · DOI: 10.2172/2371665
"Measured Thermal And Fast Neutron Fluence Rates ATR Cycle 168B" Michael Reichenberger, Larry Smith, [2021] · DOI: 10.2172/2371664
"Overcoming challenges to support us resumption of high specific activity cobalt-60" M.A. Reichenberger, J.M. Urban-Klaehn, J.L. Peterson-Droogh, J.V. Brookman, B. Gross, C. Tyler, J. Navarro, M. Lillo, A. Zillmer, R.H. Howard, [2021] Applied Radiation and Isotopes · DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109494 · EID: 2-s2.0-85098189471 · ISSN: 1872-9800
"MEASURED THERMAL AND FAST NEUTRON FLUENCE RATES ATR CYCLES 168A" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2020] · DOI: 10.2172/2376858
"MEASURED THERMAL AND FAST NEUTRON FLUENCE RATES ATR CYCLES 168A AGR" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2020] · DOI: 10.2172/2376855
"MEASURED THERMAL AND FAST NEUTRON FLUENCE RATES ATR CYCLES 168A EPRI" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2020] · DOI: 10.2172/2376857
"Measurement results for 60Co Assay baskets H5, H9, H14, H15, A4, and B3 (C003, C001, C005, C022, C021, C020, C032, C033, C038, C035, C036, C039, C053, C054, C055, C065, C066, & C067)" Jagoda Urban-Klaehn, Michael Reichenberger, [2020] · DOI: 10.2172/1668826
"Measured Thermal and Fast Neutron Fluence Rates ATR Cycles 167A" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2020] · DOI: 10.2172/1691461
"MEASURED THERMAL AND FAST NEUTRON FLUENCE RATES FOR AGR HOLDERS DURING CYCLE 166B" Michael Reichenberger, Larry Smith, [2020] · DOI: 10.2172/2370096
"Measured Thermal And Fast Neutron Fluence Rates ATR Cycle 166B" , , Michael Reichenberger, , Larry Smith, [2020] · DOI: 10.2172/2584188
"Measured Thermal and Fast Neutrons Fluence Rates for ATF-1 Holders During ATR Cycle 166B" Michael Reichenberger, Larry Smith, [2020] · DOI: 10.2172/2376826
"Measured thermal and fast neutron fluence rates ATR Cycle 165A. 1/18/2019 - 06/19/2019" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2019] · DOI: 10.2172/1575369
"Measured thermal and fast neutron fluence rates for ATF-1 holders during ATR cycle 164B. Revision 1" Michael Reichenberger, Billy Walker, [2019] · DOI: 10.2172/1604946
"Electrodeposition of low-enriched uranium onto small platinum electrodes" Daniel M. Nichols, Kevin Tsai, Sarah R. Stevenson, Tanner M. Swope, Caden W. Hilger, Joseph D. Hewitt, Katharine E. Kellogg, Jeremy A. Roberts, Cheng-Hung Chen, Douglas S. McGregor, Michael A. Reichenberger, [2019] Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment · DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2019.162350 · EID: 2-s2.0-85068504918 · ISSN: 0168-9002
"Fabrication and characterization of Schott Borofloat® 33 microstrip electrodes" Benjamin W. Montag, Luke C. Henson, Steven L. Bellinger, Daniel M. Nichols, Michael A. Reichenberger, Ryan G. Fronk, Douglas S. McGregor, Nathaniel S. Edwards, [2019] Radiation Physics and Chemistry · DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2018.10.016 · EID: 2-s2.0-85042490855 · ISSN: 1879-0895
"Characterization of reticulated vitreous carbon foam using a frisch-grid parallel-plate ionization chamber" Jerrod C. Conley, Michael A. Reichenberger, Kyle A. Nelson, Christopher N. Tiner, Niklas J. Hinson, Philip B. Ugorowski, Ryan G. Fronk, Douglas S. McGregor, Nathaniel S. Edwards, [2018] Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment · DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2018.03.005 · EID: 2-s2.0-85043537755 · ISSN: 0168-9002
"Fabrication and Testing of a Modular Micro-Pocket Fission Detector Instrumentation System for Test Nuclear Reactors" Daniel M. Nichols, Sarah R. Stevenson, Tanner M. Swope, Caden W. Hilger, Jeremy A. Roberts, Troy C. Unruh, Douglas S. McGregor, Michael A. Reichenberger, [2018] EPJ Web of Conferences · DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/201817004018 · EID: 2-s2.0-85041065832 · ISSN: 2100-014X

Advancements in nuclear reactor core modeling and computational capability have encouraged further development of in-core neutron sensors. Measurement of the neutron-flux distribution within the reactor core provides a more complete understanding of the operating conditions in the reactor than typical ex-core sensors. Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors have been developed and tested previously but have been limited to single-node operation and have utilized highly specialized designs. The development of a widely deployable, multi-node Micro-Pocket Fission Detector assembly will enhance nuclear research capabilities. A modular, four-node Micro-Pocket Fission Detector array was designed, fabricated, and tested at Kansas State University. The array was constructed from materials that do not significantly perturb the neutron flux in the reactor core. All four sensor nodes were equally spaced axially in the array to span the fuel-region of the reactor core. The array was filled with neon gas, serving as an ionization medium in the small cavities of the Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors. The modular design of the instrument facilitates the testing and deployment of numerous sensor arrays. The unified design drastically improved device ruggedness and simplified construction from previous designs. Five 8-mm penetrations in the upper grid plate of the Kansas State University TRIGA Mk. II research nuclear reactor were utilized to deploy the array between fuel elements in the core. The Micro-Pocket Fission Detector array was coupled to an electronic support system which has been specially developed to support pulse-mode operation. The Micro-Pocket Fission Detector array composed of four sensors was used to monitor local neutron flux at a constant reactor power of 100 kWth at different axial locations simultaneously. The array was positioned at five different radial locations within the core to emulate the deployment of multiple arrays and develop a 2-dimensional measurement of neutron flux in the reactor core.

"Neutron sensitivity of 10B4C-coated aluminum honeycomb using a single-anode wire, P-10 continuous-gas-flow proportional counter" Kyle A. Nelson, Niklas J. Hinson, Christopher N. Tiner, Michael A. Reichenberger, Ryan G. Fronk, Douglas S. McGregor, Nathaniel S. Edwards, [2018] Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment · DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2018.04.046 · EID: 2-s2.0-85047139831 · ISSN: 0168-9002
"Neutron sensitivity of 6Li-based suspended foil microstrip neutron detectors using Schott Borofloat® 33 microstrip electrodes" Benjamin W. Montag, Luke C. Henson, Steven L. Bellinger, Daniel M. Nichols, Michael A. Reichenberger, Ryan G. Fronk, Douglas S. McGregor, Nathaniel S. Edwards, [2018] Radiation Physics and Chemistry · DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2018.02.013 · EID: 2-s2.0-85042473057 · ISSN: 1879-0895
"TRIGa pulse tracking utilizing a multi-node micro-pocket fission detector" [2018] Transactions of the American Nuclear Society · EID: 2-s2.0-85060851357 · ISSN: 0003-018X
"MCNP6 simulated performance of Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors (MPFDs) in the Transient REActor Test (TREAT) facility" Michael A. Reichenberger, Jeremy A. Roberts, Troy C. Unruh, Douglas S. McGregor, Vishal K. Patel, [2017] Annals of Nuclear Energy · DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2017.02.017
"Bulk Crystal Growth, and High-Resolution X-ray Diffraction Results of LiZnAs Semiconductor Material" Michael A. Reichenberger, Madhana Sunder, Philip B. Ugorowski, Kyle A. Nelson, Luke C. Henson, Douglas S. McGregor, Benjamin W. Montag, [2017] Journal of Electronic Materials · DOI: 10.1007/s11664-017-5471-3 · EID: 2-s2.0-85017139850 · ISSN: 0361-5235
"Fabrication and testing of a 4-node micro-pocket fission detector array for the Kansas State University TRIGA Mk. II research nuclear reactor" Daniel M. Nichols, Sarah R. Stevenson, Tanner M. Swope, Caden W. Hilger, Troy C. Unruh, Douglas S. McGregor, Jeremy A. Roberts, Michael A. Reichenberger, [2017] Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment · DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2017.04.047 · EID: 2-s2.0-85019157735 · ISSN: 0168-9002
"Fabrication and testing of a 5-node micro-pocket fission detector array for real-time, spatial, iron-wire port neutron-flux monitoring" Daniel M. Nichols, Sarah R. Stevenson, Tanner M. Swope, Caden W. Hilger, Ryan G. Fronk, Jeffrey A. Geuther, Douglas S. McGregor, Michael A. Reichenberger, [2017] Annals of Nuclear Energy · DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2017.08.016 · EID: 2-s2.0-85027533411 · ISSN: 1873-2100
"Monte Carlo simulation of random, porous (foam) structures for neutron detection" Ryan G. Fronk, J. Kenneth Shultis, Jeremy A. Roberts, Nathaniel S. Edwards, Sarah R. Stevenson, Christopher N. Tiner, Douglas S. McGregor, Michael A. Reichenberger, [2017] Radiation Physics and Chemistry · DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2016.08.021 · EID: 2-s2.0-84985995495 · ISSN: 1879-0895
"Preliminary analysis of damage to MPFDs caused by reactor pulses" [2017] Transactions of the American Nuclear Society · EID: 2-s2.0-85033462201 · ISSN: 0003-018X
Source: ORCID/CrossRef using DOI