– Edited By Tom Lamar –
Robert Sindelar, a senior advisory scientist in Materials Science and Technology who has spent 25 years at the Savannah River Site, has been honored with the 2010 Fred C. Davidson Distinguished Scientist Award, which will be presented to him at a banquet in November.
The award recognizes Sindelar's many contributions to nuclear technology in the areas of structural integrity and life management/extension in systems for nuclear materials production, safe interim management of spent fuel, and disposal waste forms for nuclear fuel and, more recently, his work in long-term storage of commercial nuclear fuel.
Sindelar joins 14 other scientists who have received the award for their accomplishments in various areas since the award's inception in 1996.
"It was a pleasant surprise winning," said Sindelar. "I'm very excited, very proud and happy to be part of such a grouping of people." Sindelair's work includes supporting tasks for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the area and performing an analysis of the potential issues associated with the technical bases for safe dry storage of commercial spent fuel for up to several hundred years, in light of the pending withdrawal of the license application for the Yucca Mountain repository, according to CNTA.
He leads the Savannah River National Laboratory work on the evolutionary track of the science-based approach for waste form development, testing and qualification for alloy waste forms for commercial spent fuel under the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, Fuel Cycle Research and Development program, Waste Forms Campaign.
Sindelar has acted as a consultant to the international Atomic Energy Agency, Department of Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Section in the spent fuel management area.
He also leads and consults programs for SRS and the DOE complex for life management of nuclear systems, structures and components that include high level waste storage, nuclear materials separations facilities and spent fuel storage.
Sindelar, who received his Doctorate and Master's degrees in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Bachelor's degree in math and physics, said he has always had a strong inclination for math and science, and the career path that he pursued required these competencies.
"It has just sort of been a progression starting with a keen interest in math and science," he said. "Since then, I've branched out to broaden off that theme of nuclear materials." Sindelar will be a guest of honor seated at the head table and will be presented his award at the CNTA's 19th annual Edward Teller lecture banquet at The Doubletree Hotel in Augusta on November 17.
CNTA executive director Clint Wolfe said that during the selection process, CNTA received nomination packages from regional universities, the Savannah River Site, and other organizations. A committee is responsible for selecting each year's award recipient.
"(Sindelar) is a very deserving candidate," Wolfe said.