R. A. Borrelli, Ph.D.

• Advanced fuel cycle analysis
• Open source scientific computing
• Pyroprocessing
• Safeguards- and security-by-design
• Geologic repository design
• Neutronics
• Nuclear hybrid energy systems analysis
• Cybersecurity, plant modernization, digital I&C
• Risk assessment, management

Robert Borrelli received a bachelor's in mechanical and nuclear engineering and his master's in civil and environmental engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He received his doctorate in nuclear engineering at UC-Berkeley, working with Joonhong Ahn in high level nuclear waste management. He continued study in this field at the University of Tokyo and then returned to UC-Berkeley for a second postdoctorate position in the field of safeguard, safety and security with Ahn and Per Peterson. When this position ended, Borrelli taught engineering at Diablo Valley College in the San Francisco area. Borrelli is currently a tenure-track professor in the nuclear engineering program at the University of Idaho, located at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies in Idaho Falls. His broad research interests include advanced fuel cycle analysis and risk assessment. This includes developing methodologies to optimize proliferation resistance and physical protection with the safety and security for the advanced nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear hybrid energy systems modeling, nuclear cybersecurity and plant modernization and RTG satellite design for deep space missions.

1. Kelley Verner (PI), R. A. Borrelli, Marc T. Skinner, Emma Redfoot, Jieun Lee, Seth Dustin, John Peterson (co-PIs) - University of Idaho, Increasing the Go-on Rate in Southeast Idaho Through the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water, University of Idaho Vandals Big Ideas Project. $23,984
2. R. A. Borrelli (PI, University of Idaho), Lee Ostrom (Senior Advisor, University of Idaho), Stephen G. Johnson (Senior Advisor, INL). Performance assessment of americium as fuel in radioisotope thermoelectric generators for deep space exploration. Idaho NASA EPSCoR Research Initiation Grant. $55,000

• Technical program committee, Advances in Nuclear Nonproliferation Technology and Policy Conference: Bridging the Gaps in Nuclear Nonproliferation, 25-30 September, 2016, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Technical program paper review committee, Advances in Nuclear Nonproliferation Technology and Policy Conference: Bridging the Gaps in Nuclear Nonproliferation, 25-30 September, 2016, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Faculty Advisor, American Nuclear Society, University of Idaho Student Branch
• Community Service, Idaho American Nuclear Society
• Member, Idaho American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Member, Fuel Cycle and Waste Management Division, American Nuclear Society
• Member, Nonproliferation Policy Division, American Nuclear Society
• Member, Student Sections Committee, American Nuclear Society
• Member, American Society of Mechanical Engineers

• Nuclear cybersecurity research initiatives annual meeting, Center for Advanced Energy Studies, 27-28 July, 2017, Idaho Falls, Idaho
• Nuclear cybersecurity research focus area identification annual meeting, Center for Advanced Energy Studies, 21-22 July, 2016, Idaho Falls, Idaho
• Idaho American Nuclear Society Smoke Detector Donation Program

1. E. Redfoot, R. A. Borrelli, Analysis of possibilities for using a nuclear fuel cycle simulator to model a nuclear hybrid energy system, Annals of Nuclear Energy (2017) [under review].
2. J. Lee, M. Tolman, R. A. Borrelli, High reliability safeguards approach to remotely handled nuclear processing facilities: use of discrete event simulation for material throughput, Nuclear Engineering and Design (2017) [under review].
3. R. A. Borrelli, J. Ahn, Y. Hwang, Approaches to a practical systems assessment for safeguardability of the advanced nuclear fuel cycle, Nuclear Technology, 197, 248 (2017).
4. R. A. Borrelli, Functional components for a design strategy: Hot cell shielding in the High Reliability Safeguards methodology, Nuclear Engineering and Design, 305, 18 (2016).
5. R. A. Borrelli, A high reliability safeguards approach for safeguardability of remotely-handled nuclear facilities: 1. Functional components to system design, Journal of Nuclear Materials Management, XLII(3), 4 (2014).
6. R. A. Borrelli, A high reliability safeguards approach for safeguardability of remotely-handled nuclear facilities: 2. A risk-informed approach for safeguards, Journal of Nuclear Materials Management, XLII(3), 27 (2014).
7. R. A. Borrelli, Reflections on Developing an Identity for the Third Generation Nuclear Engineer in the Post-Fukushima Society, Reflections on the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident: Toward Social-Scientific Literacy and Engineering Resilience, 978-3-319-12090-4 (2015).

Recent Conference Presentations

1. J. Lee, M. Tolman, R. A. Borrelli, Preliminary analysis of facility design for pyroprocessing safeguardability, Proc., 2017 American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting, 11-15 June, 2017, San Francisco, California.
2. E. Redfoot, R. A. Borrelli, Nuclear fuel cycle simulator as a means to model a nuclear hybrid energy system, Proc., 2017 American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting, 11-15 June, 2017, San Francisco, California.
3. J. Peterson, M. Haney, R. A. Borrelli, Cybersecurity vulnerability assessment methodologies for nuclear power plants, Proc., 2017 American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting, 11-15 June, 2017, San Francisco, California.
4. M. Tolman, J. Lee, R. A. Borrelli, Development of a discrete event simulation model for pyroprocessing safeguardability, Proc., 2016 American Nuclear Society Winter Meeting, 06-10 November, 2016, Las Vegas, Nevada.
5. R. A. Borrelli, Summary of modeling studies in the high reliability safeguards approach, 2013 American Nuclear Society Winter Meeting, 10-14 November 2013, Washington, D. C.
6. R. A. Borrelli, Applying curium spontaneous fission neutrons in the high reliability safeguards approach for remotely-handled nuclear facilities, Global 2013: International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference, 29 September - 03 October, 2013, Salt Lake City, Utah.