Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board

Meeting Closed

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges Check-In for September 11, 2025

September 11, 2025

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

This is a regularly scheduled closed session for the committee designed to keep staff and members informed and current with the study tasks and needs.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Michael McWilliams (chair)
Kimberly Chaffin
Bum Soo Han
Susannah Howieson
Mark Palmer
Robert Powell
James Roth
Justin Tettenborn
John Vennekate
Amanda Walsh

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

Future meetings, study needs, report outline and process, writing groups, statement of task

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

September 16, 2025

Organizing Project

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges

Contact

Darlene Gros

dgros@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting

Assessing Radiation Exposure, Health Outcomes, and Mitigation Strategies for Flight Crewmembers - Meeting 1

September 3, 2025

1:00 PM - 2:35 PM (EDT)

Past

Materials

About

The committee will hear from the sponsoring agency on their perspective of the statement of task and receive public comments submitted for consideration to the study.

This is an all virtual meeting. Interested parties may submit comments to the study e-mail.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Partially Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Jonathan M. Samet (chair)
Amir A. Bahadori
Thomas A. Burke
Casey I. Canfield
Sarah S. Cohen
Heidi Hanson
Lindsay Fenwick
Benjamin W. McGee
Christopher J. Mertens
Christopher Scheibler

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

Introductions, conflict of interest discussion, expertise, study process and schedule, statement of task, open session discussions and future discussions, report

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

September 05, 2025

Organizing Project

Assessing Radiation Exposure, Health Outcomes, and Mitigation Strategies for Flight Crewmembers

Contact

NASEM Project Staff

(202) 334-3243
refc@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges Check-In for August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

This is a regularly scheduled closed session for the committee designed to keep staff and members informed and current with the study tasks and needs.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Michael McWilliams (chair)
Kimberly Chaffin
Bum Soo Han
Susannah Howieson
James Roth
John Vennekate
Amanda Walsh
David Weimer

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

Previous studies and, study updates and needs, potential speakers

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

September 15, 2025

Organizing Project

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges

Contact

Darlene Gros

dgros@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges Meeting 4

August 11 - 12, 2025

Past

Agenda

Download the Agenda

Materials

About

The committee will provide a summary of the site visits in the Fort Worth and Lewisville, Texas, area on July 10, 2025 to Sterigenics, a gamma irradiation facility, and Steri-Tek, an electron beam facility and, also, to site visits on August 11 at the Steris and Medtronic facilities located in the Minneapolis metro area.

Additionally, the committee will host panel discussions on 1) accelerator development and manufacturing and 2) the X-ray Solutions and Cesium Irradiator Replacement Project.

Note: The Committee on Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges conducted a site visit in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 11, 2025. Staff and committee members visited Isomedix Operations, a STERIS Company that operates as an ethylene oxide sterilization facility, and Medtronic, a medical device manufacturer with alternative gas treatment facilities other than ethylene oxide. The committee was given the opportunity to observe how commercial sterilization and irradiation facilities operate with tours of the sites, a key part of comparing how commercial operations vary between the modalities of ethylene oxide gas treatment, gamma irradiation and electron beam irradiation. These opportunities will also help the committee determine the lifecycle benefits and challenges facing electron beam technologies in day-to-day operations. The site visit was not be open to the public because of safety and security concerns with the hazardous operations involved with sterilization methods. To ensure that the public has the opportunity to hear about what the committee saw during the site visit, the chair provided a summary during the open information gathering session of the committee on August 12, 2025. Any written materials provided to the committee during the site visit were placed in the Public Access File for the project.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Partially Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Michael McWilliams (chair)
Kimberly Chaffin
Bum Soo Han
Susannah Howieson
Mark Palmer
Robert Powell
James Roth
Justin Tettenborn
John Vennekate
Amanda Walsh (virtual)
David Weimer

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

Discussed site visits from previous day and those discussions, identify potential areas and speakers for study, and report writing assignments and study timeline.

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

Steris presentations and Medtronic presentations

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

September 17, 2025

Organizing Project

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges

Contact

Darlene Gros

dgros@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges Check-In for July 31, 2025

July 31, 2025

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

This is a regularly scheduled closed session for the committee designed to keep staff and members informed and current with the study tasks and needs.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Michael McWilliams (chair)
Kimberly Chaffin
Bum Soo Han
Susannah Howieson
Mark Palmer
Robert Powell
James Roth
Justin Tettenborn
John Vennekate
Amanda Walsh
David Weimer

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

Upcoming meeting, speakers, relevant reports, information needed

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

N/A

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

September 16, 2025

Organizing Project

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges

Contact

Darlene Gros

dgros@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges Site Visits: Fort Worth and Lewisville, Texas

July 10 - 11, 2025

Past

About

The committee toured the Sterigenics' gamma facility, Fort Worth, and Steri-Tek's electron beam facility, Lewisville, in Texas respectively.

Note: The Committee on Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges conducted a site visit in Fort Worth and Lewisville, Texas, on July 10, 2025. Staff and committee members visited Sterigenics which operates a gamma facility, and Steri-Tek, an electron beam facility. The committee was given the opportunity to observe how commercial sterilization and irradiation facilities operate with tours of the sites, a key part of comparing how commercial operations vary between the modalities of ethylene oxide gas treatment, gamma irradiation and electron beam irradiation. These opportunities will also help the committee determine the lifecycle benefits and challenges facing electron beam technologies in day-to-day operations. The site visit was not be open to the public because of safety and security concerns with the hazardous operations involved with sterilization methods. To ensure that the public has the opportunity to hear about what the committee saw during the site visit, the chair provided a summary during the open information gathering session of the committee on August 12, 2025. Any written materials provided to the committee during the site visit were placed in the Public Access File for the project.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Michael McWilliams (chair)
Kimberly Chaffin
Bum Soo Han
Susannah Howieson (tour only)
Mark Palmer
Robert Powell
James Roth
Justin Tettenborn
John Vennekate
Amanda Walsh
David Weimer

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

Discussed site visits from previous day and those discussions, the Accelerators for America conference and upcoming site visits, report and statement of task, report writing assignments, and report process and study schedule.

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

Sterigenic presentations

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

November 24, 2025

Organizing Project

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges

Contact

Darlene Gros

(202) 334-3066
dgros@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges Meeting 3

June 11, 2025

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

Select members of the committee will hold planning discussions on site visits and meeting the needs of the statement of task.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Kimberly Chaffin
Susannah Howieson
Robert Powell
Amanda Walsh
Dave Weimer

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

The topics discussed was the outline for the report, private-public partnerships to be described in the report, upcoming site visits, and planning open meetings (topics and timing).

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

None

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

June 23, 2025

Organizing Project

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges

Contact

Darlene Gros

dgros@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges Meeting 2 (Committee Bias, Conflict of Interest, Composition, & Balance Discussion)

May 2, 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)

Past

About

This is a closed consensus study session for Committee Bias, Conflict of Interest, Composition, & Balance Discussions. The meeting is fully virtual.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Institution Closed

The following committee members were present at the closed sessions of the event

Michael O. McWilliams, Chair
Kimberly A. Chaffin
Susannah V. Howieson
Mark A. Palmer
Robert L. Powell
James A. Roth
Justin Tettenborn
Amanda C. Walsh
David L. Weimer
Absent: John Vennekate

The following topics were discussed in the closed sessions:

Committee Bias, Conflict of Interest, Composition, & Balance Discussions

The following materials (written documents) were made available to the committee in the closed sessions:

None

Date of posting of Closed Session Summary:

May 09, 2025

Organizing Project

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges

Contact

Darlene Gros

(202) 334-3066
dgros@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting

Assessing Opportunities and Challenges for Expanded Use of U.S.-Based Electron-Beam Technologies Meeting 1

February 27, 2025

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EST)

Past

About

Join the committee for their first meeting to begin examining opportunities and challenges in the United States for expanded use of electron-beam (e-beam) technologies in commercial scale irradiation applications. Two primary uses of electron beam technology (e-beam) are the sterilization of medical equipment and irradiation methods for food safety. With large amounts of medical equipment and food imports, the United States relies upon fast and efficient sterilization options. E-beam is one of those options. Other applications include materials modification and sterile insect programs.

At the first meeting, the committee will hear from the Department of Energy – National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the sponsor, and other stakeholders about the potential increased use of e-beam technologies; identifying priority research needs to improve reliability, flexibility, and efficiency; and discussing challenges and solutions for transitioning R&D to commercial-scale uses. Discussions will be a stock take on NNSA current programs in e-beam technologies and the commercial applications, as well as defining security concerns and public-private partnerships. Related commercial sterilization and irradiation technologies that could be included in the discussions are ethylene oxide fumigation, gamma irradiation, and, x-ray irradiation.

Additional Information

Is it a Closed Session event?

Not Closed

Organizing Project

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges

Contact

Darlene Gros

(202) 334-3066
dgros@nas.edu

Location

Keck Center

500 5th St NW

Washington DC 20001, USA

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Workshop

Pathways for New Nuclear Development: A Workshop

January 29 - 30, 2025

Past

Materials

About

The recent completion of Plant Vogtle, the largest nuclear energy plant in the United States, has sparked new opportunities for building next-generation nuclear reactors to produce reliable, clean energy. However, significant barriers to nuclear deployment include technical challenges, regulatory hurdles, and investment risks that complicate decision-making timelines.

Building on recommendations from the consensus report, Laying the Foundation for New and Advanced Nuclear Reactors in the United States, this workshop aims to explore pathways for new nuclear development in the United States. This event will facilitate in-depth discussions among policymakers, regulators, community leaders, and technical experts from industry, national labs, and academia regarding the challenges of deploying more nuclear power, including ways to improve construction, financing, decision-making, and public engagement. Participants will discuss the real and perceived risks of new nuclear projects and their projected timelines, the risks and opportunities of co-locating with other facilities or in non-traditional locations, and the role different designs could play in meeting growing electricity demand.

Organizing Project

Pathways for New Nuclear Development: A Workshop

Contact

Jasmine Victoria Bryant

jvbryant@nas.edu

Location

National Academy of Sciences Building

2101 Constitution Ave NW

Washington DC 20418, USA

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Pathways for New Nuclear Development: Workshop Planning Meeting #4

January 13, 2025

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM (EST)

Past

Organizing Project

Pathways for New Nuclear Development: A Workshop

Contact

Jasmine Victoria Bryant

jvbryant@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Pathways for New Nuclear Development: Workshop Planning Meeting #3

December 12, 2024

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM (EST)

Past

Organizing Project

Pathways for New Nuclear Development: A Workshop

Contact

Jasmine Victoria Bryant

jvbryant@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Pathways for New Nuclear Development: Workshop Planning Meeting #2

November 15, 2024

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EST)

Past

Organizing Project

Pathways for New Nuclear Development: A Workshop

Contact

Jasmine Victoria Bryant

jvbryant@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Log In

Sign in to access your saved publications, downloads, and email preferences.

Former MyNAP users: You'll need to reset your password on your first login to MyAcademies. Click "Forgot password" below to receive a reset link via email. Having trouble? Visit our FAQ page to contact support.

Members of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, or National Academy of Medicine should log in through their respective Academy portals.

Email (required)
Password (required)

Don't have an account?

Register

Email (required)
New password (required)
Retype password (required) Password must be at least 8 characters
I accept the terms of use
terms of use

Thank You

Thank you for creating a MyAcademies account!

Enjoy free access to thousands of National Academies' publications, a 10% discount off every purchase, and build your personal library.

Forgot Password

Enter the email address for your MyAcademies (formerly MyNAP) account to receive password reset instructions.

Reset Requested

We sent password reset instructions to your email . Follow the link in that email to create a new password. Didn't receive it? Check your spam folder or contact us for assistance.

Reset Password

New password (required)
Retype password (required) Password must be at least 8 characters

Reset Password

Your password has been reset.

Log In

Verify email

Verify Your Email Address

We sent a verification link to your email. Please check your inbox (and spam folder) and follow the link to verify your email address. If you did not receive the email, you can request a new verification link below

Subscribe

First Name
Last Name
Email (required)
I agree to receive emails from the National Academies (required)

We respect your privacy and will never share your information.

My Academies

Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges Check-In for September 11, 2025

Assessing Radiation Exposure, Health Outcomes, and Mitigation Strategies for Flight Crewmembers - Meeting 1

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges Check-In for August 28, 2025

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges Meeting 4

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges Check-In for July 31, 2025

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges Site Visits: Fort Worth and Lewisville, Texas

Expanded U.S. Electron Beam Usage in Sterilization and Irradiation Applications: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges Meeting 3