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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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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Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
Z. Z. Johal, J. W. Crippen, A. C. Forsman, E. H. Lundgren, K. A. Moreno, A. Nikroo
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 55 | Number 3 | April 2009 | Pages 331-336
Technical Paper | Eighteenth Target Fabrication Specialists' Meeting | doi.org/10.13182/FST08-3503
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The National Ignition Facility (NIF) tuning and ignition capsules will be gas filled through a laser precision drilled hole with a fill tube attached. To field these targets, several physics and assembly requirements must be met. These requirements drive the morphology of the final capsule and fill tube assembly (CFTA). Unexpectedly, they have also driven the need for a fill tube-transition tube subassembly, which is significant in the extra time required for fabrication. We have implemented engineering solutions that allow successful fabrication, testing, and transportation of CFTAs. During fabrication the fill tube is vertically inserted into both the transition tube and capsule, it is adhered with a low-viscosity adhesive, and there is a gap between mating surfaces. Nitrogen backpressure is flowed through the transition tube to prevent wicking of adhesive into the fill tube and to prevent partial restriction of flow or plugging. A nitrogen purge has also been implemented to displace atmospheric oxygen, which would otherwise absorb into the adhesive surface, truncate the polymerization process, and lead to a partially cured joint. Prior to transportation, the CFTA must complete a series of testing that simulates final assembly and NIF conditions: (a) helium leak test at room temperature, (b) helium leak test at liquid nitrogen temperature, (c) pressure test, and (d) X-ray fluorescence testing. The CFTA is transported in a custom device that provides vital support for the fill tube-to-capsule interface.