In On-Campus Lab, Alum Advances Nuclear Lab Control Systems with AI
Electrical and computer engineer Claudio Lopez Osses, M.S. ’20, Ph.D. ’22, is accelerating the next generation of nuclear science through the use of artificial intelligence at Crocker Nuclear Laboratory, or CNL, at the University of California, Davis.
Nuclear labs like CNL contain some of the most complicated machines ever built, such as particle accelerators. For decades, scientists have relied on sophisticated control systems that are meticulously maintained and calibrated.
In fact, these machines are so complex that only a highly skilled and trained individual on the nuclear lab’s team can understand, monitor and maintain them. This means that when a problem arises, it is not only very difficult for the team to address but also to return the system to its normal state.
To address this problem, Lopez Osses, who joined CNL as an R&D electrical engineer in 2023, is integrating AI systems into CNL’s control systems for nuclear machines. The AI system functions like that specialized team member, serving as the source of knowledge on how the system works and how to keep it running. Beyond automating what was once a time-consuming and delicate process, the AI system has demonstrated the ability to predict problems before they occur — something that was previously almost impossible.
“Traditional maintenance schedules have often been reactive, addressing issues once they are already a problem,” Lopez told Tech Bullion, a London-based financial technology news platform. “AI can analyze vast amounts of data generated by sensors to help us monitor the equipment performance. Through pattern recognition combined with historical data of the machine, it is able to predict when components will break down.”
This leads to a significant increase in safety and a reduction in downtime when machines are out of commission due to control system issues.
In addition to increased safety, AI systems can also lead to greater efficiency and accuracy in nuclear machines, significantly improving research outcomes. Lopez Osses believes these advancements will supercharge research with particle accelerators to advance portable cancer therapies, such as proton beam therapy.