Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Camp (NICC)

ACTIVITIES

Hosting Nuclear Innovation Bootcamp 2023 (NIB2023)

The Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program (NICP), together with the Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) of the United States, held the "Nuclear Innovation Bootcamp: NIB2023" from July 31 to August 11, 2023, at Ookayama Campus of Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) as part of its program.

NIB is a two-week summer camp sponsored by NIA and held annually in the United States and other countries, training students and early career professionals in skills essential to innovation in nuclear energy through experience of expert-led sessions, team-building exercises, and a group project design and competition. In 2023, NIB was held in Japan for the first time.

The 29 participants included four Tokyo Tech graduate students, as well as participants from the United States, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Jamaica, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Ghana, and Nigeria. In addition to graduate and undergraduate students, and early-career professionals in nuclear engineering, participants included graduate students studying law and mechanical engineering, as well as young professionals involved in energy and climate change analysis and energy policy.

NIB2023

The first day of the camp at Tokyo Tech (July 31)

On July 31, the first day of the conference, Dr. Mitsuru Uesaka, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, Cabinet Office, gave a keynote speech titled "Current Status of Nuclear Development in Japan and Expectations for Innovation in the Nuclear Energy Field," which provided an overview of the nuclear energy field in Japan.

Speakers from Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO), and major Japanese nuclear power-related manufacturers (Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd., and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.) gave lectures and participated in panel discussions. Participants showed great interest in Japan's nuclear technology and engaged in a lively Q&A session.

Keynote Speech by Dr. Mitsuru Uesaka (July 31)

A participant asking questions (July 31)

Panel discussion (July 31)

Q & A session (August 9)

On August 3 and 4, the participants visited the JAEA Naraha Remote Engineering Center (NARREC) and TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station to learn more about the decommissioning project and its progress in Fukushima.

In front of JAEA NARREC (August 3)

In a VR room, NARREC’s Research Management Building (August 3)

On a blue deck of Fukushima Daiichi Power Station (August 4)

With a sample of ALPS treated water (August 4)

Participants were divided into teams and planned a new business in the nuclear field and developed its business plan through discussions. At the same time, they enhanced their presentation and question-and-answer skills through training by a speaking specialist invited from the United States.

Idea generation works (August 2)

Group work (August 2)

Participants hearing the advice from a mentor (August 2)

Speech training (August 8)

On the final day, a competition was held. Teams presented their business plan to a panel of judges consisting of venture capitalists and experts in the field of nuclear energy, competing on the novelty, feasibility of their business, and presentation skills, and one team was awarded the first-place prize.

Presentations on the final day (August 11)

Presentations on the final day (August 11)

Awarding a completion certificate (August 11)

Team members awarded the first-place prize (August 11)

Award Reception (August 11)

Call for Participants - Nuclear Innovation Bootcamp 2023(NIB2023 – JAPAN)[July 29 – Aug. 12, 2023]
<Deadline: Mon., Feb 27, by 13:59 (JST)>

Nuclear Innovation Boot Camp 2023 (NIB2023 - JAPAN) will be held at Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama Campus, from July 29 to August 12, 2023. NIB is a two-week camp-style seminar that has been held annually in the U.S. and other countries since 2016, and will be held in Japan in 2023. We are widely inviting motivated participants.

Guidelines for Applicants - Nuclear Innovation Bootcamp 2023(NIB2023 – JAPAN) 

Hosts ・Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program: NICP
・Nuclear Innovation Alliance: NIA
Duration From July 29 to August 12, 2023
Venue Tokyo Institute of Technology (Ookayama Campus), incl. Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Field Work
Who Can Apply A)Undergraduate students in any field who are currently in their third year or later
B)Graduate students (including Ph.D.) in any field
C)Early-career professionals in any field who have been working for less than 5 years
Screenings Your CV, an essay, and one letter of recommendation
We will inform you of the results by the end of March.
Participation Fees

・The hosts will pay for accommodation, meals, and transportation during the Camp.

・Working (non-student) participants shall be responsible for transportation fees and arrangements between their location and Tokyo Tech Ookayama Campus.

Support Contents For Students NICP will provide domestic travel expenses for NIB2023 participants who are enrolled at a Japanese university or national technical institute from their location to the Tokyo Institute of Technology Ookayama Campus, where the Camp will be held. The NICP office will contact participating students regarding procedures after participants are selected.
Application Deadline Sunday, February 26, 2023, by 11:59 PM (ET) / Monday, February 27, 2023, by 13:59 (JST)
Sunday, March 12, 2023, by 11:59 PM (ET) / Monday, March 13, 2023, by 12:59 (JST) Extended!
How to Apply https://www.nuclearinnovationbootcamp.org/apply
Where to Contact Tokyo Tech Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program Secretariat (nicp[at]zc.iir.titech.ac.jp)

Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Camp: NICC2023 Takes Place at Tokyo Tech

As an activity of the Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program (NICP) sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), NICC2023 was conducted with great success at Tokyo Tech from January 9 to 18, 2023.

NICC2023 aims at cultivating those who will be successful internationally and lead innovation in nuclear through group work based on participation in an international conference and visit to the Fukushima Daiichi & Daini Nuclear Power Plants.

Four graduate students from Texas A&M University, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Michigan, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison from the United States, and six students from the Graduate Major in Nuclear Engineering at Tokyo Tech participated in the NICC2023.

Group photo with NICC2023 members in front of the Laboratory for Zero-Carbon Energy, Tokyo Tech

The camp consisted of the following sessions.

A) Participation in the “International Symposium on Zero-Carbon Energy Systems(IZES)

For the first time since 2016, the IZES (January 10-12, 2023), hosted by the Laboratory for Zero-Carbon Energy, Tokyo Tech, was successfully held after two postponements due to the spread of COVID-19, and NICC2023 participating students attended and observed it as part of the NICC2023 program.

The presentations covered a wide range of topics in the following six fields, and were of interest to both majors and non-majors.

  1. Renewable energy technologies
  2. Innovative nuclear energy technologies
  3. Carbon-neutral technologies
  4. Energy storage and transformation technologies
  5. Material recycling technologies for energy systems
  6. Innovative nuclear applications

Group photo with IZES participants and lecturers

B) Workshops / Special Lectures

[Workshop Theme #1] Direction for Innovative Nuclear Energy System Development in Carbon Neutrality Society based on the Current Research

After participating in the IZES, NICC students discussed and made a presentation on what nuclear development is needed to realize a carbon-neutral society, based on the most impressive topics during the symposium.

Groupwork on January 9

Group presentation on January 13

[Workshop Theme #2] Direction for the Development of Innovative Nuclear Energy Systems Resilient to Natural Disasters

Based on newly gained knowledge after visiting Fukushima 1 & 2 NPPs, students discussed and made a presentation on directions for the development of nuclear energy systems that can be safely used against natural disasters.

Group presentation on January 16 at J-Village

Groupwork on January 17 at J-Village

[Special Lecture #1] Innovative Nuclear Systems for the Future

Prior to attending the IZES, Prof. Obara gave a lecture on “Innovative Nuclear Systems for the Future”. Then students planned and made a presentation of which lectures they would observe at the IZES.

[Special Lecture #2] The Development of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident and Current Situation

January 13, Mr. Kohei Sohda, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO) delivered a lecture on the development of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident and Current Situation, which draw various questions from NICC students as they were scheduled to visit 1F and 2F for the following week.

Prof. Obara delivering a lecture

Mr. Sohda delivering a lecture

C) Fieldwork in Fukushima 1 and 2 NPPs

The fieldwork at Fukushima Daiichi (1F) and Daini (2F) Nuclear Power Plants, the highlight of the events, was very meaningful for students specializing in nuclear engineering and nuclear energy. The students visited the reactor buildings and other facilities on the 16th and 17th.

In the afternoons, they had discussions and presentations on the theme 2 in the conference rooms of J-Village, where they stayed for two nights in Fukushima.

Group photo on January 16 at 1F

Group photo Team A on January 17 at 2F

Group photo Team B on January 17 at 2F

Receiving explanations from staff on January 16 at 1F

Receiving a lecture from staff on January 17 at 2F

Receiving explanations from staff on January 17 at 2F

Feedbacks from the students

・Student from the U.S: The NICC offered a truly priceless opportunity for students from the US and students from Japan to meet and have discussions concerning the future of nuclear energy systems worldwide. The opportunities for collaboration were extremely effective at initiating complex discussions of balancing the growing need for energy resources with the need for carbon-conscious policies and for safe energy production.

Programs like the NICC facilitate and encourage a global perspective for students who are looking to contribute to the future of nuclear energy. The opportunity to be exposed to entirely new perspectives is an important part of the necessary innovations facing the nuclear industry.

The NICC also provided an opportunity for students to engage with their future colleagues and network among fellow members of the nuclear community. The NICC as a program effectively enhanced the education of students studying nuclear energy systems by exposing them to the latest research in zero-carbon energy, reinforcing the importance of safe and resilient systems, and encouraging collaboration and global perspective in nuclear energy research.

 

・Student from Tokyo Tech: I participated in this program because I wanted to strengthen my discussion skills in English, which I expect to utilize in the future. In my experience so far, discussions in English were usually held with three or more people, so I was not very active in the discussions, but this time, because we worked in one-on-one pairs, I was able to discuss the issues quite vigorously.

During the tour of the power plants, I was only vaguely aware of the progress of reconstruction, but through the explanations of the staff and the Q&A session, I was able to learn about the progress of decommissioning, future plans, what has been learned from the accident, and what improvements have been made.

Dinner on January 16 at J-Village

Completion Ceremony on January 17 at J-Village

Call for Participants - Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Camp: NICC2023 - CfA 

Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) has conducted the Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program (NICP) as a project of the Advanced Nuclear Education Consortium for the Future Society (ANEC) sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT). Also, one of the NICP activities in AY2022, the Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Camp (NICC) 2023 will take place as follows.

NICC2023 aims at cultivating those who will be successful internationally and lead innovation in nuclear through group work based on participation in an international conference and visit to the Fukushima Daiichi & Daini Nuclear Power Plants with post-graduates from major universities in the US. We hope motivated postgraduate students will participate in NICC2023.

Host

Tokyo Tech Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program (NICP)

Duration

January 9-18, 2023

Venues

Tokyo Institute of Technology (Ookayama Campus), and Fukushima Daiichi & Daini Nuclear Power Plants

Eligibility

Post-graduate students in Japan (Japanese and international students)

Quota

12 students

Participation Fees

Free of Charge

Support Contents

#1 Accommodation (without meals, room only) and domestic transportation (Between Ookayama and Fukushima) will be offered by the program.

Note: Those who live in or near Tokyo will not be provided with hotel rooms in Tokyo.

#2 Domestic transportation between the campus of each participant and Ookayama

Note: International students in Japan are ineligible for subsidies for #2.

The meals during the program shall be borne by the participants.

How to Apply

Submit via the online form (https://forms.gle/9qsHNaa5riD3Hws48) 

Application Deadline

Noon, Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Screenings

Scrutiny of Documentation and Online Interview

•Proficiency in English will be evaluated in the interview (10 mins)
•The selection result will be notified to each applicant via e-mail by Thursday, October 20, 2022
Online Interview 13:30~17:00, Tuesday, October 18, 2022
(The detailed schedule of the interview will be notified to each applicant later.)
Where to Contact

Tokyo Tech Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program Secretariat (nicp[at]zc.iir.titech.ac.jp)

NICC2023 Program*Subject to change 


SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2023
Leave the US for Japan (Participants from the US)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2023
Arrive in Tokyo and Check-in at the hotel*TBA
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2023
13:30 Get together at Tokyo Tech Ookayama Campus
Opening Ceremony
Orientation
Opening Lecture
Groupwork, Presentation
17:00 Dismiss and Return home/to the hotel
TUESDAY – THURSDAY, JANUARY 10-12, 2023
Participate in / Observe International Symposium on Zero-Carbon Energy Systems (IZES) at Tokyo Tech Ookayama Campus
For more details, please refer to the web.
https://www.izes1.org/
Dismiss and Return home/to the hotel
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13
9:00 Get together at Tokyo Tech Ookayama Campus
Groupwork [Theme 1]
13:00 Group Presentation [Theme 1]
15:00 Lecture
17:00 Dismiss and Return home/to the hotel
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023
Afternoon Check-out at the hotel
Get together at Tokyo Tech Ookayama Campus *TBA
Head to Fukushima and Check-in at J-VILLAGE
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023
Morning Visit Fukushima 1 NPP
Afternoon Visit Fukushima 2 NPP or Groupwork [Theme 2]
Stay at J-VILLAGE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17
Morning Groupwork [Theme 2] at J-VILLAGE or Visit Fukushima 2 NPP
Afternoon Groupwork [Theme 2]
Stay at J-VILLAGE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18
Morning Group Presentation [Theme 2]
Completion Ceremony
Check-out at J-VILLAGE
Afternoon Head to Tokyo
Evening Dismiss at Tokyo Tech Ookayama Campus
Return home / Check-in at the hotel*TBA

GROUP WORK
Groups of three people will discuss given topics and make presentations on the results of the discussion.
One of the members in each group is supposed to be a guest student from the US and the others be students in Japan.
lTHEMES OF GROUP WORK
[THEME 1]
Direction for Innovative Nuclear Energy System Development in Carbon Neutrality Society based on the Current Research
- NICP students are supposed to participate in IZES to observe lectures, presentations, and Qs & As.
Based on the most impressive topics during the conference, discuss and make a presentation on what nuclear development is needed to realize a carbon-neutral society.
[THEME 2]
Direction for the Development of Innovative Nuclear Energy Systems Resilient to Natural Disasters
- Based on newly gained knowledge after visiting Fukushima 1 & 2 NPPs, discuss and make a presentation on directions for the development of nuclear energy systems that can be safely used against natural disasters.

Nuclear Innovation Workshop (NIW) 2022 Held Online [March 1, 2022]

Nuclear Innovation Workshop (NIW) took place online as an activity of Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program (NICP).

In the first session, four guest speakers delivered speeches, and the second session consisted of group work and group presentation centered by representative students from member universities and colleges of Advanced Nuclear Education Consortium for the Future Society (ANEC) sponsored by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

 

AGENDA

Nuclear Innovation Workshop (NIW) 2022
HOST: Tokyo Tech Nuclear Innovator Cultivation Program (NICP)
DATE & TIME: 9:00 - 16:25, March 1, 2022
VENUE: Zoom
LANGUAGE: English
MC: Tatsuya KATABUCHI
Associate Professor, Laboratory for Zero-Carbon Energy (ZC), Tokyo Tech
PARTICIPANTS: 12 students (Tokyo Tech / Tokai University / National Institute of Technology, Toyama College / National Institute of Technology, Fukushima College)
PROGRAM:
  1. Opening:
    Program Chair Toru OBARA, Professor, ZC, Tokyo Tech

  2. Invited Lectures:
    1. Lecture #1: “Nuclear Education in the US”
      Michael SHORT, Associate Professor, Dept. of Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
    2. Lecture #2: “Nuclear Innovation Bootcamp in the US” [Pre-recorded]
      River BENNETT, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Michigan
      Adrien COUET, Associate Professor, Engineering Physics Department, UW-Madison
      Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA)
    3. Lecture #3: “Current Status of JAEA’s R&D on HTGR”
      Yukio TACHIBANA, Deputy Director, Reactor Systems Design Department,
      Sector of Fast Reactor and Advanced Reactor R&D, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA)
  3. Work Shop:
    Facilitator: Toru OBARA, Tokyo Tech
    1. Group Work
    2. Presentation
  4. Closing:
    Program Chair Toru OBARA, Tokyo Tech

Event Outline

This workshop aims at preparing the ground for the Japanese counterpart of “Nuclear Innovation Bootcamp (NIB)” which started at UC Barkley in 2016, and is a short-term intensive camp training, mainly targeting graduate students, for foster innovative entrepreneurship in the nuclear field.

In AY 2021, the workshop was held online, inviting 12 students from the ANEC consortium institutes who have a strong interest in the future of nuclear engineering.

Lectures Outline

In the morning session, lectures in the field of nuclear energy from a different viewpoint of “Education”, “Social Cooperation” and “Research & Development”. For lecturers’ biographies and presentation materials, see the links below.

Lecture #1: “Nuclear Education in the US”
  Michael SHORT, NSE, MIT
 
   
Lecture #2: Nuclear Innovation Bootcamp in the US” [Pre-recorded]
  River BENNETT and Adrien COUET , NIA
 
   
Lecture #3: “Current Status of JAEA’s R&D on HTGR"
  Yukio TACHIBANA, JAEA
 

Groupwork Outline

In the afternoon, twelve students were grouped in four threesomes, discussed a given topic, summarized the results and made a 5-min. presentation sharing roles in each team and using PPT, followed by 5-min. Qs and As.

Topics assigned in each group

Team

TOPICS

A

What role can nuclear energy play in the future society?

B

How should nuclear energy and renewable energy be used?

C

What should be done to make nuclear energy widely accepted in society?

D

What technologies should be developed for the future of nuclear energy?

Presentations

   

Feedbacks from participants

  1. I had a great time. Thanks!
  2. The more there were different types of students, the more exciting it would be.
  3. The workshop was very good, I would suggest for the next online edition that for the student work breakout rooms, a mentor could attend from now and again to stimulate the conversation or bring inspiration to the group.
  4. Although the time was limited, I am glad to have a chance to do some groupwork with students in different grades.


Group photo of NIW 2022 participants and staff

Nuclear Energy Advanced Human Resources Development Forum Held Online [December 22, 2020]

As a kick-off event of the program, a forum was held via the webinar conducted on December 22, 2020. The content includes an introduction of the program outline, a lecture on commitment to human resources development in the U.S.A., and a panel discussion centered on young people.

We have uploaded a videoclip of the day to YouTube. We hope you enjoy it.

Nuclear Energy Advanced Human Resources Development Forum Held
Host: Laboratory for Advanced Nuclear Energy, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Date: 13:30~16:30 December 22, 2020
Place: Zoom Webinar
Agenda:

Part 1


  1. Opening Address:
    Prof. Kenji TAKESHITA, Ph.D. Engineering, Director Laboratory for Advanced Nuclear Energy (LANE), Institute of Innovative Research (IIR), Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech)
  2. Greetings by guest of honor:
    Ms. Yuka SUZUKI, Director, Office of the Nuclear Infrastructure Research and Human Recourses, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
  3. Lectures:
    1. “Overview of the Tokyo Tech Nuclear Energy Advanced Human Resources Development Program”
      Prof. Toru OBARA, LANE, Tokyo Tech
    2. Introduction of the Nuclear Innovation Bootcamp in the US:
      Dr. Adrien Couet (University of Wisconsin – Madison)
      Mr. River Bennett (Nuclear Innovation Alliance)

Part 2


  1. Lecture:
    1. “Making Nuclear Education Personal, Experiential, and Exciting”
      Associate Prof. Mikael SHORT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Part 3


  1. Panel Discussion:
    “International Activities and Studying Abroad by Youth in the Field of Nuclear Engineering”
    • Panelists: Associate Prof. Michael SHORT (MIT), Dr. Kota KAWAI (Representative of the International Youth Nuclear Congress), Dr. Hiroki TAKEZAWA (Lecturer, Dept. of Nuclear Safety Engineering, Tokyo City University), Mr. Ryo AOYAGI (Master’s student, Tokyo Tech)
    • Moderator: Prof. Toru OBARA (LANE, Tokyo Tech)
  2. Closing Address:
    Prof. Yoshinao KOBAYASHI, Head of graduate studies in Nuclear Engineering, Tokyo Tech
 Home