Today

ANS has made, and continues to make, important contributions to the use of nuclear science and technology, and consequently to the larger society beyond ANS. It achieves this through its many products and services, including meetings, publications, standards, outreach, honors and awards, scholarships, teachers workshops, Organization Members, and representation in Washington, D.C.

ANS continues to be a professional organization of scientists, engineers, and other professionals devoted to the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology. Its more than 10,000 members, from 50+ countries, come from diverse technical disciplines ranging from physics and nuclear safety to operations and power, and from across the full spectrum of the national and international enterprise, including government, academia, research laboratories, and private industry. Making it all succeed are a Board of Directors, 20 standing committees, 19 Professional Divisions, 41 Local Sections, 58 Student Sections, liaison agreements with more than 30 non-U.S. nuclear societies, and a headquarters staff of about 35 people.


Milestones in ANS's History

2017Beginning of a publishing partnership with Taylor & Francis to produce ANS's three technical journals
2015ANS President Gene Grecheck travels to Paris for COP21
2014ANS celebrates 60 years
2010ANS creates the ANS Nuclear Cafe
2004ANS celebrates 50 years
2000ANS launches refined website that has separate sections for ANS members and for general public
1998ANS establishes current office in Washington, D.C.
1997ANS's first professionally directed Strategic Plan is approved by ANS Board of Directors
1995ANS completes study "Protection and Management of Plutonium"
1994First issue of Radwaste Magazine (now Radwaste Solutions) is published
1992Commemorating 50th anniversary of first controlled nuclear fission, ANS's Winter Meeting has special sessions about the event and ANS publishes book, "Controlled Nuclear Chain Reaction The First 50 Years"
1990ANS releases major report on NUREG-1150, NRC's study of severe accident risks
1988First plant branch (Diablo Canyon) is formed
1986ANS begins exchanges with USSR about reactor safety
1984ANS releases (in November) its major report on source terms
1983ANS News is published separate from Nuclear News
1981ANS's third journal, Nuclear Technology/Fusion (now Fusion Science and Technology) is started
1979First ANS public policy statement (High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal) is issued
1979Alpha Nu Sigma honor society formed
1978ANS initiates exchange visits with China, which continue today
1977ANS moves to La Grange Park, Illinois (building owned by ANS)
1976First ANS/ENS International Conference, Washington, D.C.
1976ANS conducts first Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference
1976First liaison agreement between ANS and another nuclear society (Israel Nuclear Society)
1971ANS participates in Fourth Geneva Conference, publishes special (extra) issue of Nuclear News about conference
1970Nuclear Standards News is first published
1970First overseas ANS local sections are established. Europe-Belgium (now Belgian Nuclear Society, an ANS Affiliated Society): Europe-Central: and Europe-France
1969First Nuclear News Buyers Guide issue is published
1968ANS begins collaboration with U.S. Atomic Energy Commission on monograph series, funded by AEC
1965ANS's second journal, Nuclear Applications (now Nuclear Technology), is started
1959First issue of Nuclear News is published
1958ANS hires first full-time Executive Secretary (Octave Du Temple)
1958First Transactions of ANS is published
1958First ANS division (Hot Laboratory Division; currently named Robotics & Remote Systems Division) is formed
1956First ANS journal (Nuclear Science and Engineering) is published
1956First ANS local section (Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh) is formed
1956Standards Committee is formed
1955First ANS student branch (University of Michigan) is formed
1955First ANS President (Walter Zinn) is elected
1955First Annual Meeting (at Penn State University)
1953Meetings are held to organize ANS; the name American Nuclear Society is chosen

Last modified August 14, 2020, 2:40pm CDT