NSUF - Nuclear Science User Facilities

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

About Us

The Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) is the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy's only designated nuclear energy user facility. Through peer-reviewed proposal processes, the NSUF provides researchers access to neutron, ion, and gamma irradiations, post-irradiation examination and beamline capabilities at Idaho National Laboratory and a diverse mix of university, national laboratory and industry partner institutions.

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