II International Scientific and Technical Conference named after V. M. Voevodin "Problems of Modern Nuclear Energy"

16–18, 2025, in Kharkiv, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University hosted the II International Scientific and Technical Conference named after V. M. Voevodin "Problems of Modern Nuclear Energy" held in a mixed format, which again became an important event for the scientific, educational and professional community of the Ukrainian nuclear industry.

The event was organized by: NGO “Ukrainian Nuclear Society”, National Science Center “Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology” and V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University.

The conference addressed the following topics:

• Development of Ukraine's nuclear energy sector;
• Materials for nuclear energy; 
• Improving NPP operational safety and efficiency; 
• Lifetime extension of NPP units;
• Ageing of NPP equipment; 
  • Nuclear, radiation and environmental safety in radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel management;
• Problems of thermonuclear fusion; 
• Public communication in nuclear industry.

The event was attended by 160 registered participants, of which about 50 attended in person. In total, more than 60 scientists, experts from enterprises, students and postgraduates, and schoolchildren made presentations on research results, new technologies, and innovative approaches to the development of nuclear energy.

Presentations were made in Ukrainian and in English.

The first day of the event proceeded in a mixed format.

The opening session of the conference included greetings from representatives of the event organizers and guests - NGO “Ukrainian Nuclear Society”, V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, NSC “Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology”, European Nuclear Society (ENS), and other leading scientific institutions.

Anton Panteleimonov, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, made a welcoming speech and emphasized the importance of the conference for the university community and the development of nuclear science in Ukraine.

Mykola Azarenkov, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, recalled the history of the conference and honored the memory of Viktor Voevodin, the initiator and inspirer of the event, a member of the UkrNS Board and ENS Higher Scientific Council.

Volodymyr Kholosha, President of the Ukrainian Nuclear Society, emphasized the importance of the conference as a forum for discussing current challenges and prospects for the development of nuclear energy in Ukraine. He thanked the experts who, despite the war, continue to promote the industry and implement innovative solutions to enhance the position of nuclear power in the energy system of the country.

Stefano Monti, President of the European Nuclear Society, also took part in the opening session. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of international cooperation, scientific exchange and support provided by the European nuclear community to Ukraine. He wished the participants fruitful work and emphasized that the conference is not only a technical forum, but also a manifestation of solidarity and shared commitment to the future of nuclear energy in Ukraine and Europe.

The panel dedicated to presentations on finalization of KhNPP Units 3 and 4, addressing the strategic importance of the project, technical challenges, and the role of scientific and technical support, aroused a keen interest and heated discussion among the participants.

The first day's sectional presentations addressed the issues of materials science, advanced technologies for fuel assemblies and reactor vessel steels, radiation protection, and environmental impact forecasting. Special attention was paid to the issues of public communication, nuclear safety, participation of Ukraine in the Euratom Program, cybersecurity, development of automated process control system technologies, and blockchain application in supply chain management in the nuclear industry. Thus, presentations of the first day covered a wide range of interdisciplinary topics that form the modern vector of nuclear power development in Ukraine.

NFC STE NSC KIPT presented the following reports on the first day:

1.        Creation of neutron absorbing materials and absorber rods with enhanced performance characteristics. Grytsyna V.

2.        Determination of the operating temperature of control rod absorber structure components, assessment of their cooling reliability in VVER-440 core. Dzhamirzoyev A.

3.        Materials science investigations and calculations of HfB2 neutron absorption efficiency in VVER-1000 reactor operating conditions. Legenkyi Ye.

4.        Main aspects of SNF container radiation protection and evaluation of possibilities for its improvement. Zuyok V.

The second and third days of the event were held online and also covered a variety of topics ranging from materials science, nuclear power plant operation safety and lifetime extension to public communication and prospects for nuclear fusion.

On the second day of the conference NFC STE was represented by a report by Chernov I. “Investigation of the structural-phase state of dysprosium titanate and dysprosium and gadolinium hafnate pellets autoclaved in the simulated VVER-1000 reactor coolant medium”, and on the third day, Riedkina G. presented a report “Potential mechanisms influencing the degradation of zirconium alloy fuel rod cladding during long-term dry storage”.

The video recordings of all days of the conference are available on YouTube.

The conference abstracts are available at: Аbstracts