USF College of Engineering News

[Marlin]

USF College of Engineering News

https://www.usf.edu/engineering/news/2026/nuclearpower.aspx

[Core Content]

USF engineers develop technology to help nuclear power plants improve maintenance of a critical safety systemArticle Title

University of South Florida engineers developed a laser-based de-icing system to separate frozen ice condenser baskets in nuclear containment buildings. This technology allows plant personnel to perform safety inspections without manual labor or excessive ice melting. The system is designed to operate in narrow, freezing environments and has undergone testing to meet nuclear safety and radiation compliance standards.

University of South Florida

The technology, created by Ahmad Vaselbehagh, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and postdoctoral research associate Ty Hagan, addresses a longstanding maintenance issue involving specialized ice condensers used in certain nuclear power plants in the United States, Japan, and Finland. During routine inspections, plant operators must individually lift and weigh thousands of baskets filled with borated ice that help cool and depressurize the containment building in the unlikely...

Read the full article at usf.edu:
https://www.usf.edu/engineering/news/2026/nuclearpower.aspx