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
Nuclear Criticality Safety
NCSD provides communication among nuclear criticality safety professionals through the development of standards, the evolution of training methods and materials, the presentation of technical data and procedures, and the creation of specialty publications. In these ways, the division furthers the exchange of technical information on nuclear criticality safety with the ultimate goal of promoting the safe handling of fissionable materials outside reactors.
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
May 2025
Jan 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
July 2025
Nuclear Technology
June 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
High-temperature plumbing and advanced reactors
The use of nuclear fission power and its role in impacting climate change is hotly debated. Fission advocates argue that short-term solutions would involve the rapid deployment of Gen III+ nuclear reactors, like Vogtle-3 and -4, while long-term climate change impact would rely on the creation and implementation of Gen IV reactors, “inherently safe” reactors that use passive laws of physics and chemistry rather than active controls such as valves and pumps to operate safely. While Gen IV reactors vary in many ways, one thing unites nearly all of them: the use of exotic, high-temperature coolants. These fluids, like molten salts and liquid metals, can enable reactor engineers to design much safer nuclear reactors—ultimately because the boiling point of each fluid is extremely high. Fluids that remain liquid over large temperature ranges can provide good heat transfer through many demanding conditions, all with minimal pressurization. Although the most apparent use for these fluids is advanced fission power, they have the potential to be applied to other power generation sources such as fusion, thermal storage, solar, or high-temperature process heat.1–3
Technical Session|Panel
Tuesday, February 4, 2025|1:00–2:40PM EST|Cumberland A
Session Chair:
Hannah Hunnicutt (Oak Ridge Assoc. Univ.)
Session Organizer:
The panel discussion will focus on the newly established Department of Labor Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship programs, with ORAU serving as the intermediary. As pioneering programs, this initiative presents a significant opportunity to reshape workforce development on a national scale. The primary objective of the panel is to provide a comprehensive overview of these programs, highlighting their structure, benefits, and potential challenges. The discussion aims to illustrate how these programs serve as valuable tools for industry recruitment and offer tax benefits to participating companies. Additionally, the panel will explore the programs' role in addressing skills gaps and creating pathways to meaningful employment for individuals across the country. Key goals of the presentation include: Explaining the structure and implementation of the pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, emphasizing ORAU's role as the intermediary. Highlighting the benefits for both industry partners and apprentices, including tax incentives, skill development, and career advancement opportunities. Discussing the program's alignment with broader workforce development goals and economic needs. Addressing potential challenges or weaknesses in the program's current form and exploring strategies for improvement. Showcasing early success stories or outcomes, if available, to demonstrate the program's potential impact. The desired outcomes of this panel discussion are to increase awareness and understanding of these new apprenticeship programs among stakeholders, encourage industry participation, and foster a dialogue on how to maximize the programs' effectiveness. By presenting a balanced view of both benefits and potential weaknesses, the panel aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and industry leaders involved in workforce development. Through this discussion, we hope to inspire collaboration between educational institutions, businesses, and government agencies to support and expand these apprenticeship programs, ultimately contributing to a more skilled and competitive workforce nationwide.
To join the conversation, you must be logged in and registered for the meeting.
Register NowLog In
