Atom Slam-2025: A New Communication Format for the Nuclear Community
In Kyiv, at the Grand Conference Hall of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, within the framework of the VII International Scientific and Technical Conference NUCNEXT-2025, an innovative new event Atom Slam-2025 was held. It was organized by the Ukrainian Nuclear Society with the support of the international project NURECAB, which promotes the development of a new generation of scientists and the integration of Ukrainian researchers into the European scientific space.
The event took place after the first day of the conference and became a new format for communication among nuclear industry professionals, where serious topics were presented in an informal atmosphere. The idea of Atom Slam was to create an unusual platform for promoting ideas and projects in nuclear energy and related fields. Each participant had up to ten minutes to present their development or research in a clear and accessible way.
The winner was chosen by the loudness of applause from the audience – the listeners and speakers of the first day of NUCNEXT-2025. For this, a special “noise meter” device recorded the level of applause support for each participant.
Leaders of the Youth Section of the Society – Eduard Omelchuk and Daria Papezhuk – as well as representatives of the Ukrainian Nuclear Society’s regional branches in Rivne, Kharkiv, and at the Institute for Nuclear Research of the NAS of Ukraine contributed to the organization and implementation of the event.
The evening was hosted by Oleksandr Fedinchyk (UkrNS regional branch in Rivne) and Yevhen Malyi (UkrNS branch at the Institute for Nuclear Research of the NAS of Ukraine, Young Scientists of the Division of Nuclear Physics and Energy of the NAS of Ukraine), who humorously introduced the rules and maintained a friendly, dynamic atmosphere throughout the presentations.
To ease the tension, the organizers also provided “emotional therapists” – an improvised bar with drinks, where participants were greeted with signature cocktails with telling names such as “Nuclear Fusion,” “Electron Cloud,” and “Fission.” Special thanks for organizing this part of the event, which became a bright highlight of the evening, go to members of the UkrNS branch in Kharkiv Oleksandr Moroz and Denys Horokh (V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University).
The Atom Slam-2025 presentations covered a wide range of nuclear science and technology topics. Among them:
– Electrolyte-Plasma Treatment of Metal Surfaces (Oleksandr Moroz, V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University) – a witty talk on how micro-arc discharges turn polishing into a high-tech process.
– Nuclear Energy as a Challenge and an Opportunity for the Future (Yaroslav Voloshyn, Dmytro Kononchuk, Anna Deineko, Igor Sikorsky KPI, Institute of Nuclear and Thermal Power Engineering) – a non-standard student view of the industry’s global prospects.
– Pipeline Robot and Electro-Grippers (Vitalii Khomenko, UkrNS branch at South-Ukraine NPP) – engineering solutions to enhance safety at NPPs.
– The Energy of Interaction (Tetiana Kutuzova, State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine) – vivid examples of how fundamental physics principles work in everyday life.
– The Second Life of Nuclear Fuel (Sviatoslav Nemolovskyi, Igor Sikorsky KPI) – transforming waste into a resource and the path to a zero-waste future.
– How I Learned Not to Fear Gamma Radiation and Love Nanoparticles (Eduard Kliuyev, M.S. Poliakov Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics of the NAS of Ukraine) – a humorous yet scientific look at working with radiation technologies.
Based on the audience vote, the best Atom Slam-2025 presentation was chosen to be that of Vitalii Khomenko from the UkrNS branch at South-Ukraine NPP. All participants received memorable gifts, and the winner received a cash prize. 🏆
Atom Slam-2025 demonstrated how the Ukrainian Nuclear Society supports young professionals and creates new formats of communication in the sector. The event brought together experienced experts and students, providing them with a platform for informal interaction and exchange of ideas. According to participants, such an atmosphere helps to unlock potential and motivates them to present science in an interesting, clear, and engaging way.
