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Understanding the Nuclear Power Production Business: domestically and around the globe — present and forecasted
H. M. Hashemian
President and CEO
Analysis and Measurement Services Corporation
Monday, December 9, 2024
Dr. H.M. “Hash” Hashemian is President and Chief Executive Officer of Analysis and Measurement Services Corporation (AMS); a nuclear engineering firm headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and operating since 1977 in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
His technical and operational vision and leadership have enabled AMS to play a key role in ensuring the safe and cost-efficient operation of virtually every U.S. nuclear power plant, as well as many in Europe and Asia. He has accomplished these successes through the development and delivery of industry-leading instrumentation and control system testing and analysis equipment, training, and services.
A globally recognized expert in peaceful applications of nuclear energy for electricity generation and medical diagnostics and treatment, Dr. Hashemian lectures frequently around the world on nuclear power plant instrumentation and control areas. He holds three doctorate degrees in engineering including a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering, a Doctor of Engineering degree in electrical engineering, and a Ph.D. in computer engineering.
Dr. Hashemian is the author of three books titled: Sensor Performance and Reliability, Maintenance of Process Instrumentation in Nuclear Power Plants, and Monitoring and Measuring I&C Performance in Nuclear Power Plants. His books have been translated and published in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian. In addition, he is the author or co-author of 22 U.S. patents and nearly 400 peer-reviewed journal and magazine articles, conference papers, 9 book chapters, and numerous reports, guideline documents, and standards for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Electric Power Research Institute, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Electrotechnical Commission, and others.
Dr. Hashemian is a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society, a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a Fellow of the International Society of Automation, and a member of the European Nuclear Society. He is also an adjunct professor of nuclear engineering at the University of Tennessee, and an adjunct professor of practice at the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. In 2024, he was elected by the American Nuclear Society as its Vice President (2024-2025) and then President (2025-2026).
For more information on TSK and its meetings, please email TSK secretary, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him at 865-679-9854.
Sustainable and Adaptive Building Design and Technology
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Hongyu “Nick” Zhou
Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Tickle College of Engineering
University of Tennessee — Knoxville
Monday, November 11, 2024
Dr. Hongyu Zhou is head of the Sustainable and Adaptive Built Environment (SASE) Group that strives to pursue trans-disciplinary and cross-cutting research for future buildings and communities that are sustainable, energy-efficient and resilient to natural disasters.
He is part of the Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing and his research focuses on
- smart and energy-efficient buildings
- dynamic and responsive building envelopes
- sustainable building materials
- bio-inspired and biomimetic design
- additive construction
- cyber-physical systems infrastructure and security
with an emphasis on using innovative materials, designs and cyber-physical technologies to improve the life-cycle performance of buildings and structures.
Dr. Zhou came to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in 2019 from the University of Alabama at Huntsville. He has PhD and MSE degrees in Civil Engineering from Arizona State University, Tempe and a BS in Civil Engineering from Tongji University in Shanghai, China.
For more information on TSK and its meetings, please email TSK secretary, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him at 865-679-9854.
Type One Energy will reuse TVA’s Bull Run plant to prototype a stellarator fusion reactor
Andrew Campbell
Matt Miles
Andrew Campbell
Senior Manager of Transformative Innovation Initiatives
Tennessee Valley Authority
Matt Miles
Sr. Vice President, Marketing and External Affairs
Type One Energy Group, Inc.
Monday, September 9, 2024
The Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Bull Run Steam Plant was a coal fired power plant built in the 1960’s and retired December 1, 2023. When it started operation June 12, 1967, it was the world’s largest single boiler unit by volume of steam produced. It also was the only single-unit fossil plant in the TVA system. It ranked among the nation’s worst sulfur-dioxide polluters before TVA installed a wet-limestome scrubber that reduced its SO2 output by 95%.
The concept of fusion energy — first postulated in 1915 by Harkins and suggested in 1921 by Eddington as the primary source of stellar energy — has boggled human minds nearly twice as long as Bull Run was in service. The proponents of the planned stellarator hope it will become the first continuously operational fusion reactor, capable of generating up to ten times as much energy as needed to obtain and prepare the fuel and to keep the process going indefinitely.
Matt Miles has more than 25 years of experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors, including oil & gas, process, nuclear fission and most recently fusion. Prior to joining Type One Energy Group, Matt spent 7 years with General Fusion successfully leading efforts to craft public policy, establish DOE programs benefiting private sector companies (INFUSE, Milestone Program), develop the global enduser market, and guide appropriate regulatory frameworks for the fusion industry. Matt headed international sales for Generation mPower, a leading Small Modular Reactor company after successfully establishing a nuclear supply division within Edgen Murray Corp., a large, multinational steel supply company. Matt earned a BS in International Trade and Finance from Louisiana State University.
Andrew Campbell is leading TVA’s research and development efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emission goals through an initiative designed to develop feasible technology pathways to lower TVA’s grid carbon intensity. This effort involves considerable engagement of industry and academic research partners and other external stakeholders, as well as close coordination with Power Operations, Major Projects, R&D, Enterprise Planning and Environmental. The imitative develops strategic plans that recommend well timed demonstrations of significant high impact technologies to support TVA’s goals.
After graduating 2006 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Campbell became a river systems operations and environmental intern at TVA. From 2007 to 2011 he worked as a project engineer at Bowen Engineering on heavy industrial construction projects in the power industry; TVA being their main client.
In 2012 he rejoined TVA as a field engineer for interim risk reduction projects at Widows Creek Fossil Plant. He advanced through increasingly responsible positions in operations, management and planning up to Operations Manager for TVA’s 120-person Kingston Fossil Plant Powerhouse Operations before promotion to his present position in 2021.
Type One Energy Group is bringing stellarators to the global energy market by applying proven innovations in advanced manufacturing methods, modern computational physics and high-field superconducting magnets. Their FusionDirect program sets the path to directly commercialize scientifically mature stellarator technology without the need for a large proof-of-concept prototype. Credit: Type One Energy Group
For more information on TSK and its meetings, please email TSK secretary, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him at 865-679-9854.
How to Protect Yourself from Internet Scams and Identity Theft
Screenshot of a ransomware attack. 
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Jeff Cotton
VP/Chief Information Officer
Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union
Monday, August 12, 2024
Jeff Cotton has over 20 years’ experience in information technology and security. He will provide information on recent text scams, phishing and email scams. Jeff will also explain ways to identify scams and provide ways to protect yourself online.
For more information on TSK and its meetings, please email TSK secretary, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him at 865-679-9854.
Gay Street Bridge Repair
Chris Howley
Planning Chief, Engineering Department
Assistant Chief Engineer
City of Knoxville
Monday, June 9, 2025
Chris Howley will present a report on the status of the Gay St. Bridge and the plans for moving forward with repairs. The Gay St. Bridge was built in 1898. The bridge is a Cantilever Steel Bridge measuring 1512 feet long. It was built at a cost of $233,000 and was designed by Charles E. Fowler with the Youngstown Bridge Co. The bridge underwent a major rebuild in 2011. Recently a routine inspection revealed structural damage and the bridge was closed to traffic. Additional evaluation determined the bridge should not be opened and used for traffic. Chris will explain the plans for repairs commissioned by the City with the hope of reopening the bridge to pedestrian traffic.
Chris Howley has a BS from University of Tennessee (UT) and a Masters in Environmental Engineering also from UT. He is a licensed Professional Engineer. He has served on several professional and civic organizations. In 2011 he earned the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) Local Professional Engineer in Government Award.
For more information on TSK and its meetings, please email TSK secretary, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him at 865-679-9854.
Clinical Trials
Barbara Eve Faircloth, PharmD, BCCCP, BCPS
Pharmacist Specialist
Investigational Drug Services
University of Tennessee Medical Center
Monday, June 10, 2024
Dr. Faircloth will explain the purpose and the importance of clinical trials. She will discuss the history and different kinds of trials and how they are designed, organized, conducted and assessed. She will also address the requirements for participants, how they are recruited and selected, as well as the roles of researchers, hospitals, the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration in protecting the patients.
Dr. Faircloth was born and raised in New Jersey where she attended Rutgers University College of Pharmacy, graduating in 1997. She completed two years of pharmacy residency, specializing in critical care, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. She has remained at UTMC and advanced her career working in various pharmacy roles from critical care to administration and now to clinical trials. Dr. Faircloth has been certified by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties as Critical Care Pharmacist as well as Pharmacotherapy Specialist.
For more information on TSK and its meetings, please email TSK secretary, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him at 865-679-9854.
TSK Annual Meeting: The fascinating world of pollinators and their global impact
Dale Hinkle
Master Beekeeper
Monday, May 13, 2024
The business part of our Annual Membership Meeting will only take a few minutes for the annual report, treasurer’s report and the election of board directors and corporation officers. Nominated at the January meeting were,
Jim Beavers — Membership Chair
Humans have kept bees in artificial hives for more than 10,000 years. Scientific study of bee colonies began in the 18th century in Europe. In the United States alone, crops worth more than $15 billion per year depend on insect pollination. Much ingenuity, experimentation and research has gone into the design and production of hives, tools, and techniques to efficiently harvest and process honey.
In the new millennium the mysterious honey bee colony collapse disorder, mites, and viruses have plagued beekeepers across the world, causing great losses for apiaries and farmers who depend on them. This also has greatly raised the awareness of many other species of pollinators that are important in natural and agricultural ecosystems and crucial to sustain biodiversity.
The University of Tennessee Knoxville campus became the 98th Certified Bee Campus USA in 2020. The UT Apiculture Program supports the campus, the state’s beekeeping industry and private beekeepers. Through agricultural extension offerings and county beekeeping associations, you may sign up for beekeeping classes across the state. You can also support pollinators by keeping your lawn chemical free and thoughtfully planting pollinator-friendly native plants in your home garden or even on a balcony.
Dale Hinkle is a 5th generation beekeeper and Tennessee Certified Master Beekeeper. He has been keeping hives in Blount and Loudon counties and on the Plateau. He has taught many classes on beekeeping, is an expert in queen rearing, and a champion of bee product diversification. Dale has served as bee inspector in Blount and Monroe counties. He also has started local clubs and been an officer in several county clubs and the Tennessee Beekeepers Association.
For more information on TSK and its meetings, please email TSK secretary, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him at 865-679-9854.
Small Nuclear Reactors
Dr. W. David Pointer
Interim Division Director
Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Monday, April 8, 2024
Dr. Pointer will discuss the evolving domestic and global energy climate that is driving renewed interest in deployment of nuclear energy. He will present a brief primer on nuclear energy system design as a foundation for further discussion of the mission-driven design differences associated with small modular reactors, microreactors and advanced reactors. He will also introduce the technological challenges that are driving today’s research and development activities.
Dr. Pointer obtained his PhD in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Tennessee in 2001. He led the Engineering Simulations Section of the Nuclear Engineer Division at Argonne National Laboratory before joining ORNL as a Distinguished R&D Staff member in 2012.
He has more than 20 years of experience in the design and safety of nuclear systems, including conventional light water reactors, advanced reactors using gas, liquid metal or molten salt coolants and high-power accelerator systems. His work has focused on the advancement and qualification of modeling and simulation tools for nuclear energy systems, especially computational fluid dynamics and the acceptance of results contemporary high-resolution methods running on high performance computers for projection of performance, assessment of safety and operations planning in these applications.
He leads a team of more than 250 scientists and engineers who are focused on R&D activities supporting accelerated deployment of advanced nuclear energy system, nuclear fuel, and fuel cycle technologies.
For more information on TSK and its meetings, please email TSK secretary, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him at 865-679-9854.
Research Park at Cherokee Farm — Gateway to Collaboration with the University of Tennessee
Rickey McCallum
Vice President for Business Development
UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm
at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Monday, March 11, 2024
Rickey McCallum will provide an overview of all the strategic developments taking place at the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm. He will highlight the vision, mission, and alignment of the park to the University of Tennessee, the Knoxville community, and across the state.
He will discuss current and future research buildings under development and the plan to build a hotel and conference center. That project has advanced to the Request for Proposals stage in January 2024.
A new entrepreneurship ecosystem — called the SPARK Innovation Center — and CleanTech Accelerator Programs are also key initiatives of the research park.
Other notable developments are the new TDOT interchange road at the research park, its Outdoor Cultural & Recreational Center development, and potential parking garages.
Rickey McCallum was born and raised in Knoxville. He graduated 2000 from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga with a B.S. in Sports Administration and double minor in Sports Marketing and Management.
Before joining the University of Tennessee in 2014 he had extensive careers with Enterprise-Rent-a-Car of Tennessee, Dale Carnegie Training, and Tennessee Valley Authority.
He is celebrating ten years at the University of Tennessee. Before his current position at the UT Research Park, he worked for five years in UTK's Office of Corporate & Industry Engagement.
For more information on TSK and its meetings, please email TSK secretary, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him at 865-679-9854.
Challenges and Opportunities for Carbon Reduction and Removal Technologies: Managing the Elephant in the Atmosphere
Michelle K. Kidder, Ph.D
Senior Research and Development Staff
Program Manager for ORNL’s DOE-Fossil Energy and Carbon Management
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Monday, January 8, 2024
Energy generated from fossil fuels dominate the global use portfolio which now has reached an all-time high emission of approximately 40 GtCO2.
Undoubtedly this has had consequential impacts on our climate and environment, and sadly emissions are expected to rise. This has brought the urgent need to remove carbon from the atmosphere and from point sources, to reverse the rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations with effective carbon negative technologies as well as look to alternatives for energy, fuels and chemical resources.
Many strategies to enhance product selectivity from each feedstock is met with challenges with standalone materials and lack the ability to undergo process implementation and infrastructure needs. The dilemma of capture or conversion to products from carbon dioxide requires multi-decision criteria, including location, cost analysis, and environmental impact for short- and long-term needs.
Dr. Michelle Kidder is a Senior Research Staff Scientist, and also serves as the ORNL Program Manager for Fossil Energy Carbon Management in Utilization, and Scientific Lead for Net Zero Carbon strategies in the Energy Science and Technology Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
Her research focuses on novel material development and processes for alternative energy production from renewable energy resources. Here, she works to establish new approaches that elucidate underlying reaction mechanisms to further design and control material properties for optimal performance and scale-up. Her leading efforts have helped to describe the impacts of complex interfacial chemistries in carbon capture, and thermal and catalytic conversions of small molecules such as carbon dioxide, up to larger molecules found in biomass and lignin, to help improve technologies and accelerate the deployment of sustainable chemicals and fuels.
Dr. Kidder has over 140 publications, a book and 8 patents. She has served as Chair of the National American Chemical Society Energy and Fuels Division and in 2018 was named an American Chemical Society Fellow. In 2019 she was awarded the U.S. Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) in Research; 2022 was awarded both the UT Battelle Directors Award for Individual Scientific Achievement; 2022 UT Battelle Award for Mentorship in Research, and 2023 the National ACS Energy and Fuels Mid-Career Research Award.
She received her BS in Chemistry from the State University of New York at Brockport and her PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry from South Dakota State University.
Tap this picture to view all of Dr. Kidder’s presentation slides.
For more information on TSK and its meetings, please email TSK secretary, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him at 865-679-9854.