Ralph J. Cerbone
rcerbone@rohan.sdsu.edu
EDUCATION
Rensselaer Polytechnic Ph.D., Nuclear Engineering (1967); M.S., Physics (1960)
Boston College: B.S. in Physics (1957)
EXPERIENCE
Presently
Consultant
General Atomics
Fusion Division: Neutronics and Shielding
GT-MHR: Reactor Physics, Design and Evaluation
Del Mar Ventures
Neutronics and Radiation Transport
Portable Neutron Generators and Application
Lecturer
San Diego State University Physics Department
Adjunct Professor of Physics
Nuclear Physics, Radiological Physics and Radiation Shielding
1993-1999. TSI Research
Develop physics designs of Tokamak driven fusion blankets for power production and destruction of actinides and fission products from LWR waste, neutronics analyses of Volumetric Neutron Sources (VNS) and blanket designs optimized for tritium breeding.
BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY
1991-1993 Senior Scientist with tenure, Reactor Systems Division, Department of Nuclear Energy, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), on special assignment as BNL representative to the Space Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Program office at the U.S. Air Force Phillips Laboratory in Albuquerque, NM.
1987-1991 Senior Scientist with tenure, Reactor Systems Division, Department of Nuclear Energy, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), on special assignment to the USAF Astronautics Laboratory (AL), under the Office of Scientific Research, Visiting Scientist in Residence Program to assist the AL Advanced Concepts Branch plan, manage, and develop nuclear propulsion systems.
1984-1986 Deputy Project Manager, Neutral Particle Beam Division. Managed and participated in Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) programs at BNL.
Associate Chairman, Reactor Safety Research Division, Department of Nuclear Energy, BNL. Managed reactor safety research programs with responsibility for the development and assessment of advanced computer programs for fast and thermal reactors, development of a plant analyzer using state-of-the-art, special-purpose minicomputers and an experimental program in support of degraded core studies.
1977-1980 Head, Engineering and Advanced Reactor Safety Division, Department of Nuclear Energy
Areas of responsibility included the development and verification of an advanced thermal-hydraulic computer program for LMFBR's, technical assistance to the NRC in the areas of safety for advanced reactors, programs in risk assessment and a two year feasibility study (design and development plan) for the Department of Energy of a new proliferation resistant reactor concept, the Fast Mixed Spectrum Reactor (FMSR).
1993-pres Professors of Physics, San Diego State University
1992 Adjunct Professor of Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico
1985 Visiting Professor of Nuclear Engineering, University of Florida
1979-1982 Adjunct Professor of Nuclear Engineering, Polytechnic Inst. of New York
1971-1977 Manager, Nuclear Analysis and Reactor Physics
Gas-Cooled Fast Breeder Program, General Atomic Company
Managed nuclear design of demonstration and commercial-size gas-cooled fast breeder reactors, including physics, shielding, fuel cycle and economics; coordinated and provided overall liaison with the Argonne National Laboratory GCFR Critical Experiment Program and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory GCFR Shielding Program; responsible for providing liaison with international groups working on GCFR-related physics; as member of the Energy and Research Development Administration Advisory Committee on Reactor Physics, provided liaison and interface with the U.S. Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Program, LMFBR; and participated in the supervised cost-benefit analyses of gas-cooled reactors.
1967-1971 Group Leader, Radiation Transport, Gulf Radiation Technology, Division of Gulf General Atomic (previously Linear Accelerator Physics Department of General Atomic)
Managed government-funded experimental and analytical radiation transport programs including neutron and gamma ray spectrum measurements and calculations; experimental verification of shield designs for nuclear space applications; calculations for nuclear safeguard applications; and measurements and analyses for defense-oriented applications.
1964-1967 Reactor Physicist, Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, Schenectady, NY
Conducted experiments and analyses of neutron thermalization of multiplying subcritical assemblies using the pulsed-neutron time-of-flight technique with the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Linac and participated in other AEC sponsored research programs in neutron thermalization in cooperation with the Laboratory.
1960-1964 Reactor Physicist, Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, Schenectady, NY
Conducted and analyzed pulsed neutron experiments in critical and sub-critical reactors and participated in critical assembly experimental programs.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES, SOCIETIES AND APPOINTMENTS
Fellow
Executive Committee - Reactor Physics Division
Program Committee - Reactor Physics Division
Program Committee - Shielding Division
Publications and Critical Reviews Committee
Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society
Society of Sigma Xi
Registered Professional Nuclear Engineer, State of California
Member, Advisory Committee on Reactor Physics
Code Working Group
Chairman, International GCFR Physics and Shielding Working Group
Technical Advisor, Organization of American States, Centro Atomica, Argentina, 1971
Scientific Staff Council
Distinguished Lecture Committee
Search Committee for New Laboratory Director
Wage and Salary Review Committee
Chairman, Ad-Hoc Safety Committee for the High Flux Beam Reactor
PROFESSIONAL COURSES
Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Safety Technology, Northwestern University, 1977
PWR Information Course, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, 1978
Reliability and Risk Analysis, George Washington University, 1981
Digital Continuous System Simulations, University of California, 1981