NCNR Reactor 

Operations and 

Engineering Digital 

Transformation

Nelay Sharma

University of South Florida

SURF Colloquium, Reactor Operations NCNR

August 3, 2023
Project Terms

• NCNR - NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) is a division of NIST specializing in neutron 

measurement, research, standards, and capabilities for the U.S. research community. As such, the 

NCNR is under the federal jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the U.S. 

Department of Energy.

• NBSR - National Bureau of Standards Reactor (NBSR) is a 20 MW nuclear reactor using enriched 

U02 fuel with D2O coolant; The NBSR is used for various applications but is primarily specialized for 

its use for neutron science research at the NCNR.

• MEL - The Master Equipment List (MEL) is a digitalized comprehensive inventory and equipment list 

showcasing all components, such as valves, regulators, switches, gauges, filters, compressors, pumps, 

dampeners, etc., at the NCNR.

• CI - Configuration Items (CIs) are any component within hardware, software, information data, or 

documentation within the IT environment that must be managed for the development process. A 

configuration management system (CMS) can be employed to track CIs.

• EAMS – A software that helps organizations or corporations manage and track their ongoing maintenance, 

repair, and refurbishment activities. For the NCNR, the EAMS will be implemented from the data and 

feedback based on the MEL to work towards a streamlined maintenance and logistics management system

Project Introduction

Create a centralized cohesive equipment database system with real time data integration services

MEL Power Application deals with transfer of information and data from MEL Data Application

Think of MEL Software Data Collection tool is front end, and MEL Power Application is back-end of NBSR MEL

The completion will greatly support correlation checking at NCNR for maintenance of the NBSR and Reactor 

Operations for ease of access 

MEL is a sub-project of supporting a larger digital transformation strategy at the NCNR
Software Application Implementations

Establish the baseline requirements for the applications, along with the retrieval of equipment reference 

information, equipment communication, information status, update methods, and user interface

Establish the data architecture, such as its principles, assets, models, and framework

Establish data sources – such as its information regarding component information, engineering drawings, vendor 

records, purchase orders, and specifications

Build the application and test the application up to an acceptable format for the application to where a software 

plan can be drafted based on the applications format

Establish the Software Configuration Management (SCM) controls to maintain the integrity of the software 

application



Application Programs

• Power Automate is used as a tool for loading 

tables and automating their process onto the 

Power Application.

• Power BI is used as a support tool to Power 

Applications in analyzing data patterns and 

refining data information.

• Power Applications is a tool within the Microsoft 

Suite that enables developers to build software 

applications with little-to-no programming 

languages or extensive programming knowledge.

• SharePoint is used as a digital cloud storage 

service, where Power Automate loads the lists and 

libraries, and the information is compiled into a 

single view in the Power Application.
Master Equipment Solution Table
NBSR Equipment Application

• With Power Applications, new component 

information can be added in, modified, edited 

or deleted based on the requirements with 

dropdown menus.

• The Power Application is still under 

development, and additional reference 

information is being implemented. As the 

application expands in scope further, software 

developers will also improve the User 

Interface for better accessibility.

• Researchers can quickly access the component 

reference materials, which are in the tabs -

such as - reference engineering drawings, ECN 

information, and manuals.
MEL Information Transfer
Future Goals of NBSR Equipment Application

Baseline Physical Configuration Component Data

Transform Physical Configuration Component Data into a Digital Modeling Tool (MEL APP)

Baseline remaining supporting legacy data and develop Modeling Tools for Legacy Data

Transform remaining supporting legacy data into Digital Modeling Tools 

Transition Digital Modeling Tools into an Enterprise Asset Management System
Internship CORE Reflection

Goals

Gain Information Technology (IT) experience at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)

Skills & Knowledge

Gained valuable experience in data management, data analysis, and understanding of tools and their usage, such as Excel, 

Power BI, and Power Applications, both from a technical and non-technical perspective.

Experience

• Worked on a team to develop and lay the foundations to develop a Master Equipment List to work our way towards a 

CMMS

• Currently extending the internship, and working on a software configuration management plan as the baseline for standards 

and changes for the NBSR EAMS project

Applications

IT applications can be applied in almost every domain or field - since corporations and organizations have issues with their 

data management for logistics, critical infrastructure, customer service, or customer management
Acknowledgments

Acknowledgements to NIST and the SURF (CORE) Internship program

Acknowledgements to CHRNS

Acknowledgements to NCNR Reactor Operations

• Dr. Julie Borchers – SURF Program Manager

• Michelle Dudely – Project Manager

• Lance Kingsbury – Reactor Operator

• Jimyung Ryu – International Associate

• Nageshwar Bhongiri – Senior Software Developer

• Christopher Lipscomb – Fellow CORE Intern 

The Center for High Resolution Neutron Scattering (CHRNS) is a national user facility jointly funded by the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) and the National 

Science Foundation (NSF) under Agreement No. DMR-2010792
References & Citations

• [1] Alsyouf, A., & Glarner, A. (2014). A model for selecting a computerized maintenance system: A case 

study. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 31(1), 41-54. Retrieved from https://www.divaportal.org/smash/get/diva2:205356/FULLTEXT01.pdf

• [2] Silva, J., Oliveira, J., & Soares, J. (2016). Requirements specification of a computerized maintenance 

management system: A case study. Computers in Industry, 86, 18-29. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2016.06.002

• [3] Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. (2012). IEEE standard for software configuration 

management plans. IEEE Std 828-2012. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6148213

• [4] Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. (2005). IEEE standard for software configuration 

management plans. IEEE Std 828-2005.

• [5] National Archives and Records Administration. (2010). Configuration Management Plan (CMP). 

Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/files/era/recompete/config-mgmt-plan.pdf

• [6] National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2023, February 16). National Bureau of Standards 

Reactor at the NIST Center for Neutron Research. Retrieved from 

https://www.nist.gov/publications/national-bureau-standards-reactor-nist-center-neutron-research