Nick Touran’s Homepage

Who is Nick?

I am a nuclear engineer in Seattle focused on the design and analysis of advanced fission energy systems. While in training at the University of Michigan, I founded the volunteer-powered nuclear public-education website: whatisnuclear.com. I consider myself a science communicator and enjoy discussing clean-air reliable energy at any venue.

My Projects

Public Education about Energy

Read up on nukes.

Visit whatisnuclear.com

Software

I have a few open source projects online.

My github

Work

I enjoy designing nuclear reactors.

My work

Personal Blog

I sometimes write something in the blog.

Read Blog

Photography

I enjoy taking photos.

My Photos

Hobbies

I have lots of hobbies.

Read about them

Research and Work

Technical Skills

Reactor Methods: Diffusion, depletion, stability, kinetics, perturbation theory, nuclear data uncertainty, finance, etc.
System Design: Multiobjective optimization, project management, non-linear regression
Reactor Codes: ARMI, DIF3D, MC², REBUS, MCNP
Programming: Python, git, Phabricator, MPI, C/C++, HTML, Perl, LaTeX, Jenkins, FORTRAN
Computers: Apache, MySQL, Dovecot, Linux, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, ESP8266, A+ Certified Technician :)

Writing

N. Touran and J. Yang, "Sensitivities and Uncertainties Due to Nuclear Data in a Traveling Wave Reactor," Proceedings of the PHYSOR 2016 Meeting in Sun Valley, ID, May 2016.
N. Touran and J. Lee. "A Modal Expansion Equilibrium Cycle Perturbation Method for Optimizing Fast Reactors," Nuclear Science and Engineering, 179.1, 85-103, 2015.
N. Touran, J. Cheatham, and R. Petroski, "Model biases in high-burnup fast reactor simulations," Proc. ANS Int. Topl. Mtg. on Advances in Reactor Physics and Linking Research, Industry, and Education (PHYSOR 2012), Knoxville, Tennesee 2012.
A Modal Expansion Equilibrium Cycle Perturbation Method for Optimizing High Burnup Fast Reactors (my Ph.D. dissertation)
N. Touran, P. Hejzlar, S. Mazurkiewicz, R. Petroski, J. Walter, C. Whitmer, "Technical Considerations and Capabilities of a Near-Term Deployable Traveling Wave Reactor Core," Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc., 104, 934 2011.
N. Touran, "Performance of Thorium-Based Fuel for TRU Transmutation in Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactors," Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc., 103, 811, 2010.
A. Imaura, N. Touran, & R. Ewing. "MgO-pyrochlore composite as an inert matrix fuel: Neutronic and thermal characteristics", Journal of Nuclear Materials, 389, 341-350, 2009.

Speaking Events

I really enjoy discussing with people about nuclear energy and other things. If you want me to give a talk just contact me.

Alternative Energy and Climate Change: The Nuclear Option — Shoreline Community College Global Affairs Center, 2017-04-18
Making the Case for Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century — Seattle Town Hall, 2017-04-04 [Video of event]
Climate on Tap — Naked City Brewery, Seattle, WA, 2016-11-01
Next Generation Nuclear Power — Ada's Technical Books, Seattle, WA, 2016-06-29
Speaking at various elementary, middle, and high schools
The Promise of Tomorrow — Syndicated radio, 2011-01-17
Nuclear Careers to Heat up? — Michigan Radio, 2009-08-12

Hobbies & non-Nuclear Interests

Ham radio: Amateur Extra, digital, SDR, GNURadio, portable & remote operation
Home automation: Contributor to Home-Assistant platform, blogger, creator of infopanel.
Motorcycles: Riding, maintenance
Outdoors: Soccer, skiing, boating, hiking, camping, scuba diving
Reading: History, literature, politics, anything
Electronics: Late 1800s physics, oscilloscopes, vacuum pumps, high voltage
Music: Classic rock, electronic dance, rap, country, bass guitar, MIDI
Photography: Quadcopter photography, regular photography