Staerkel Planetarium to host Kaler Science Lecture on Nuclear Energy
Nuclear engineer Dr. Katy Huff to present "Atomic Advancements"
Parkland College's William M. Staerkel Planetarium will feature nuclear energy research as the subject of the next edition of the James B. Kaler Science Lecture Series on Friday, November 6 at 7 p.m.
Dr. Katy Huff, assistant professor in the Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering, and Blue Waters Assistant Professor with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at UIUC, will be presenting "Atomic Advancements" on Friday. The lecture will be held on Zoom and is offered free to the public.
The energy density of nuclear fuel is unmatched by any other fuel source. Conventional nuclear reactors supply most of Illinois's electricity and over 80% of its carbon-free electricity. These devices have an unparalleled record of safety, reliability, and sustainability, and the next generation of reactors incorporate decades of experience, research, and technological advancements which enable walk-away safety, meltdown-proof fuels, and flexible integration with renewables. Dr. Huff's talk will demystify transformative new reactors, fuels, and recycling technologies ready to support a clean energy future worldwide.
Dr. Huff earned her B.A. in Physics from the University of Chicago and her Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Before joining the University of Illinois in 2016, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow in both the Nuclear Science and Security Consortium and the Berkeley Institute for Data Science. She now leads the Advanced Reactors and Fuel Cycles Research Group.
The Staerkel Planetarium is focused on virtual programs to schools, private groups, and to the public until the dome can reopen. The planetarium staff will present Fall Prairie Skies on the same Zoom meeting after the conclusion of the Kaler lecture at 8 p.m. This show is an interactive tour of the night sky, including a focus on satellites and space junk. For a full show schedule and for links to the Zoom meetings, visit the planetarium website or email planetarium@parkland.edu.