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Division Spotlight
Operations & Power
Members focus on the dissemination of knowledge and information in the area of power reactors with particular application to the production of electric power and process heat. The division sponsors meetings on the coverage of applied nuclear science and engineering as related to power plants, non-power reactors, and other nuclear facilities. It encourages and assists with the dissemination of knowledge pertinent to the safe and efficient operation of nuclear facilities through professional staff development, information exchange, and supporting the generation of viable solutions to current issues.
Meeting Spotlight
Conference on Nuclear Training and Education: A Biennial International Forum (CONTE 2025)
February 3–6, 2025
Amelia Island, FL|Omni Amelia Island Resort
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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Nuclear Science and Engineering
February 2025
Nuclear Technology
January 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Reboot: Nuclear needs a success . . . anywhere
The media have gleefully resurrected the language of a past nuclear renaissance. Beyond the hype and PR, many people in the nuclear community are taking a more measured view of conditions that could lead to new construction: data center demand, the proliferation of new reactor designs and start-ups, and the sudden ascendance of nuclear energy as the power source everyone wants—or wants to talk about.
Once built, large nuclear reactors can provide clean power for at least 80 years—outlasting 10 to 20 presidential administrations. Smaller reactors can provide heat and power outputs tailored to an end user’s needs. With all the new attention, are we any closer to getting past persistent supply chain and workforce issues and building these new plants? And what will the election of Donald Trump to a second term as president mean for nuclear?
As usual, there are more questions than answers, and most come down to money. Several developers are engaging with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or have already applied for a license, certification, or permit. But designs without paying customers won’t get built. So where are the customers, and what will it take for them to commit?
Dr. Larry R. Foulke has been a member of the American Nuclear Society since 1967. He is currently an adjunct full professor who has an earned doctorate in nuclear engineering, P.E. registration (nuclear) in the State of Pennsylvania, and extensive experience in nuclear science and technology from a 40-year career in the nuclear industry.
Dr. Foulke has held many ANS leadership positions including Chair of the Accreditation Policies and Procedures Committee, Public Policy Committee and PE Exam Committee.
In 2006, Foulke retired from his career assignments at the U.S. Army Nuclear Power Field Office, Westinghouse Nuclear, and the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers coming out as Captain in 1968. Dr. Foulke has been active in the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) serving as Chair of the Technology Accreditation Commission in 1992-93, and member of the Engineering Accreditation Commission. He was made a Fellow of ABET in 1995.
Serving as the founder and director of the Nuclear Engineering Certificate Program at the University of Pittsburgh from 2006 to 2012, he created a series of courses in nuclear engineering for both undergraduate and graduate students. One course in particular entitled, “A Look at Nuclear Science and Technology” reached over 30,000 students in 179 countries in 2013 and 2014.
Dr. Foulke received his BS and MS in Nuclear Engineering from Kansas State University and his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from MIT. He served as a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Oslo/Institute for Atomenergi in Norway in 1961-62. Recognized in 2003 by Kansas State University, he was as a Distinguished Member of the College of Engineering Hall of Fame. Dr. Foulke currently resides in Pleasant Hills, PA.
Read Nuclear News from July 2003 for more on Dr. Foulke.
Last modified November 7, 2018, 2:09pm CST
