Beartooth: Applying Digital Twin to Advanced Nuclear Fuel Cycles

Kaleb Houck, the Digital Twin Research Scientist at Idaho National Laboratory, is a specialist in large-scale software systems and automation. His work includes creating a digital twin for a nuclear fuel cycle test bed (Beartooth) and serving as the software integration scientist for TerraPower’s Natrium project. In this blog, we’ll delve into his strategies for applying digital twin technology to advance nuclear fuel cycles, with a focus on the Beartooth project.

Kaleb Houck shared his visionary perspective on the Beartooth project, a cutting-edge endeavor in the world of nuclear science. This project resembled a space-age laboratory, led by Kaleb’s tech expertise. It employed computer models to ensure the flawless operation of nuclear systems while incorporating incredible virtual reality and augmented reality technologies for enhanced design visualization. Yet, the project’s true marvel was the utilization of real-time data, akin to live video feeds, to optimize experiments and operations. This digital magic contributed to making nuclear processes safer, more efficient, and more remarkable—a true testament to the progress of science and technology.