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Division Spotlight
Reactor Physics
The division's objectives are to promote the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the fundamental physical phenomena characterizing nuclear reactors and other nuclear systems. The division encourages research and disseminates information through meetings and publications. Areas of technical interest include nuclear data, particle interactions and transport, reactor and nuclear systems analysis, methods, design, validation and operating experience and standards. The Wigner Award heads the awards program.
Meeting Spotlight
2025 ANS Annual Conference
June 15–18, 2025
Chicago, IL|Chicago Marriott Downtown
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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May 2025
Jan 2025
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
June 2025
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
NWMO chooses vendors for Canadian repository
Canada’s Nuclear Waste Management Organization has selected five companies it is to work with to design and plan the organization’s proposed deep geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel. As the owner of the project, the NWMO will be working with WSP Canada, Peter Kiewit Sons (Kiewit), Hatch Ltd., Thyssen Mining Construction of Canada, and Kinectrics.
Eric Loewen, PhD joined the American Nuclear Society (ANS) in 1987, and since, has held a variety of governance positions within the Society. He began as the Publicity Chair for the University of Wisconsin Student Section, and later became the National Membership Committee Chair. He was elected ANS Treasurer and eventually became the 57th president of ANS in 2011.
Dr. Loewen has supported ANS efforts at the United Nations Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC): Conference of the Parties (COP6), The Hague (2000); Conference on Sustainable Development (SD-9), New York (2001); and the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg (2002).
He served as editor for the Nuclear Technology special issue on “Medium-Power Lead-Alloy Reactors,” (September 2004), has authored a number of papers, and has spoken at many conferences.
As the 2005 ANS Congressional Fellow, Eric provided nuclear technology information to the U.S. Congress that led to inclusion of nuclear energy in TITLE XVI—CLIMATE CHANGE passed into public law in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Dr. Loewen graduated from Western State College (Gunnison, Colo.) with a BA in chemistry and mathematics in 1983, earned a commission in the U.S. Navy, and subsequently attended Navy Nuclear Power School and the Nuclear Prototype (1983-84). After his active Navy service he earned his Masters and PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr. Loewen worked in private industry as Director of Nuclear Applications & Development, Molten Metal Technology, Inc. (1996-1998) and joined the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) as a Systems Integration Manager and Interim Department Manager. Currently, he is the Chief Engineer and Manager of the Chief Engineer’s Office at GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) in Wilmington, N.C., where supports the activities to build a sodium-cooled with DOE’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Project called Natrium, the BWRX-300, Advanced Reactor Concepts and the current boiling reactor fleet.
Featured in Esquire Magazine’s 2005 and 2009 “Best and Brightest” issues, Dr. Loewen introduced nuclear science information to a different type of readership.
His U.S. Navy leadership roles included: Naval Prototype Nuclear Reactor School Instructor; B-2 Division Officer, Nuclear Quality Officer, Engineering Officer of the Watch, Surface Warfare Officer of the Deck aboard the USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9); and Commanding Officer of two Naval Reserve maintenance support units.
During his career, Eric received many honors and awards including: Molten Metal, Inc. Technology Star Award (1995); ANS Public Communication Award (2003); DOE Outstanding Mentor Award (2003); GEH CEO Award (2012); and, GE Regulatory Excellence Award (2010). To add to his list of accomplishments, he is also a Kissimmee Iron Man triathlete.
Read Nuclear News from July 2011 for more on Eric.
What I learned from Warren Nyer
A Perspective: ANS service from the ranks to the Presidency
