W. F. G. van Rooijen
Assistant Professor
| Office: | Love Building, Room 206 |
| Phone: | 404.385.4224 |
| E-mail: | |
Education
- Ph.D., Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, 2006
- M. Japanese Business, Language, & Culture, Leiden University, The Netherlands and the Japan-Netherlands Institute, Tokyo, Japan
- M.Sc., Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, 2001
Research Areas and Descriptors
Background
Dr. Van Rooijen started as an Assistant Professor at Georgia Tech in March 2007. Before that, he studied Applied Physics at Delft University of Technology (M.Sc. specialization: Acoustics, 3-D reproduction of sound fields). Upon completion of his M.Sc. thesis, he was selected as a participant in the Japan Prizewinners Program, which included study of the Japanese language and culture, as well as an extended stay in Japan to work at the National Institute of Applied Industrial Science and Technology. Following his return form Japan, he started his doctoral research in the field of nuclear reactor physics, focusing on the Gas Cooled Fast Reactor, one of the Generation IV nuclear power systems for future power generation.
Research
Dr. Van Rooijen's research focuses on two intimately connected subjects: Nuclear fuel cycle and transmutation studies on the one handand the design of fast reactors on the other hand. Nuclear power has an enormous potential as an energy source free of greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear fuel cycle and transmutation studies seek to minimize the amount of radiotoxic rest materials resulting from the application of nuclear energy, and to maximize the utilization of the resources of nuclear fuel. Both tasks require a special type of nuclear reactor, a so-called Fast Reactor, which will also be researched. Thus, the transmutation studies are intimately linked to the design of the machines to safely perform the transmutation task. The ultimate goal of the research is to establish the Nuclear and Radiological Engineering program as one of the leading labs in field of fuel cycle physics, transmutation studies, and fast reactor design.
The design of a nuclear reactor is inherently a multidisciplinary task, including reactor physics, mechanical engineering, materials science, thermodynamics, and heat transfer. Thus, students working in this field will automatically develop multidisciplinary skills. On top of that, the field of nuclear power generation is currently experiencing some (r)evolutionary changes, which require the input of creative, young people with innovative ideas. There are also the issues of security of energy supply, environmental impact, and political factors. In short, and exciting field to work in as a student!
Students graduating from Georgia Tech's Nuclear and Radiological Engineering Program can find employment in the nuclear industry (Areva, Westinghouse, General Electric), at the National Labs (Oak Ridge, Idaho, Los Alamos), and in more diverse fields such as governmental/regulatory organizations (EPA, NRC), or maybe even as energy analysts for financial institutions.
Distinctions
- Jetro level III proficiency Japanese business language, 2002
- Radiation Hygene and Radiation Protection Expert Level III, 2002
Representative Publications
- W. F. G. van Rooijen, J. L. Kloosterman, T. H. J. J. van der Hagen, and H. van Dam. 2007. Li-6-Based Passive Reactivity Control Devices for a Gas Cooled Fast Reactor. Nuclear Technology 159, 119-133.
- W. F. G. van Rooijen, J. L. Kloosterman, T. H. J. J. van der Hagen, and H. van Dam. 2007. Definition of Breeding Gain for the Closed Fuel Cycle and Application to a Gas Cooled Fast Reactor. Nuclear Science and Engineering 157,1-15.
- A. M. Ougouag, et al. 2006. Investigations of Bounds on Particle Packing in Pebble-Bed High Temperature Reactors. Nuclear Engineering and Design 236, 669-676.
- W. F. G. van Rooijen, J. L. Kloosterman, T. H. J. J. van der Hagen, and H. van Dam. 2005. Fuel Design and Core Layout for a Gas Cooled Fast Reactor. Nuclear Technology 151-3.
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