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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
Latest Magazine Issues
Jul 2026
Jan 2026
2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2026
Nuclear Technology
August 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
In transition: Commercializing fusion power
Commercial fusion power is closer than ever. There are now around 30 U.S. fusion companies, several of which claim to be on track to connect to the grid as early as the 2030s.
Tokamak and laser inertial confinement approaches benefit from decades of research at facilities such as the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and ITER, with alternative concepts including stellarator, magnetic mirror, and Z-pinch confinement also making notable progress as private and government funding for fusion increases.
Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space (NETS-2023) Plenary SPeaker
Formerly Nuclear R&D and Management
Idaho National Laboratory
Argonne National Laboratory
Dr. McFarlane worked 44 years in nuclear R&D and management at Idaho National Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory. He currently serves as President of the Idaho Falls Country Club.
Dr. McFarlane’s experience includes experimental fast reactor physics, nuclear fuel cycle, space power systems, and international nuclear relations. He directed a variety of research programs as well as the operation of major nuclear facilities. He spent a sabbatical year as the senior technical advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy. He is a former President of the American Nuclear Society and a past Chairman of the International Nuclear Energy Academy. Dr. McFarlane began his interest in nuclear energy history in 1992 with the publication of Controlled Nuclear Chain Reaction—the First 50 Years. Subsequently he has written and lectured on nuclear topics including Idaho’s contribution to nuclear energy development, most recently for the 2020 edition of the Nuclear Energy Encyclopedia.
Dr. McFarlane’s four-corner education includes a PhD in engineering science from the California Institute of Technology, a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Texas, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago, and a year on the faculty of New York University.
Last modified December 2, 2022, 7:34am MST