ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Education, Training & Workforce Development
The Education, Training & Workforce Development Division provides communication among the academic, industrial, and governmental communities through the exchange of views and information on matters related to education, training and workforce development in nuclear and radiological science, engineering, and technology. Industry leaders, education and training professionals, and interested students work together through Society-sponsored meetings and publications, to enrich their professional development, to educate the general public, and to advance nuclear and radiological science and engineering.
Meeting Spotlight
2022 ANS Annual Meeting
June 12–16, 2022
Anaheim, CA|Anaheim Hilton
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Dec 2021
Jul 2021
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
December 2021
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
November 2021
Latest News
Maximizing decommissioning lessons learned
Larry W. Camper
The track record for the successful decommissioning of nuclear facilities, both nationally and internationally, is impressive. In the United States, we have decommissioned many nuclear facilities, including complex materials sites, uranium recovery sites, research and test reactors, and nuclear power plants. To date, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 10 nuclear power plants have been completely decommissioned for unrestricted use, and another 26 power reactor sites are currently undergoing decommissioning through either SAFSTOR or DECON, following NRC regulatory requirements. In addition, the Nuclear Energy Institute identifies three nuclear power plants that were successfully decommissioned outside of NRC jurisdiction. While such a track record is impressive, the nuclear industry must be vigilant in focusing on lessons learned in order to continue to make gains in efficiency, cost savings, improved environmental stewardship, and enhanced stakeholder confidence. In reviewing the outcomes of decommissioning over many years, a number of key lessons learned have emerged.
Top Tier Award
Topic: Nuclear Technology
View Recipients
Downloads: Download Nomination Form
Nomination Deadline
March 1
Presented at the
Annual Meeting
Award
Engraved Bronze Medal
The Walter H. Zinn Medal recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions to the advancement or implementation of nuclear technology. This award is to recognize notable and sustained technical contribution, leadership, or other service that has not been widely recognized.
The award consists of an engraved medal. It is to be made no more frequently than once per year and is normally conferred during the ANS Annual Meeting.
Nominees may be from any nation, but they must not be deceased at the time the awardee is selected and need not be ANS members.
This award was established by the Operations & Power Division in 1976 with the inaugural award going to Walter H. Zinn, a pioneer in nuclear reactor development and the Society's first President, for his many contributions to the development of nuclear power. Subsequent recipients have been selected by the Operations & Power Division Honors and Awards Committee to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to nuclear power. In August 2018, the OPD and ANS H&A Committee elevated this award to a national Top Tier ANS award, and it was renamed the Walter H. Zinn Medal.
Nominations must include the completed nomination form accompanied by the following supporting documents:
Nomination forms and supporting documents (in Word or Adobe Acrobat) should be emailed to honors@ans.org.
Hard copies can be mailed to:
Honors and AwardsAmerican Nuclear Society555 N. Kensington AvenueLa Grange Park, IL 60526-5535
View Award
