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
Fusion Energy
This division promotes the development and timely introduction of fusion energy as a sustainable energy source with favorable economic, environmental, and safety attributes. The division cooperates with other organizations on common issues of multidisciplinary fusion science and technology, conducts professional meetings, and disseminates technical information in support of these goals. Members focus on the assessment and resolution of critical developmental issues for practical fusion energy applications.
Meeting Spotlight
2024 ANS Annual Conference
June 16–19, 2024
Las Vegas, NV|Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
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 2024
Jan 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
June 2024
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Securing the advanced reactor fleet
Physical protection accounts for a significant portion of a nuclear power plant’s operational costs. As the U.S. moves toward smaller and safer advanced reactors, similar protection strategies could prove cost prohibitive. For tomorrow’s small modular reactors and microreactors, security costs must remain appropriate to the size of the reactor for economical operation.
Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space (NETS-2024) Plenary SPeaker
Richard Griffith serves as the Energy & Homeland Security Portfolio Sr. Campaign Manager for the Resilient Energy Systems Mission Campaign which is a portfolio of Lab Directed Research and Development focused on fundamental research aimed at improving the Nation’s energy and related infrastructure resilience to intentional and man-made threats.
Richard also serves as Program Manager for Nuclear Energy Safety and Security and the Senior Manager of the Nuclear Energy Safety Technology organization, which enhances energy security and nuclear fuel cycle viability by leading cutting-edge research and development in energy conversation, safety, security, and safeguards.
Richard began his Sandia career in 1990 as a developer for the CONTAIN reactor safety analysis code. In 1998, Richard joined Sandia’s management team in the Engineering Sciences Center. He managed several technical departments, including Plasma and Aerosol Sciences, Microscale and Non-Continuum Sciences, Thermal Sciences, and Vulnerability Technologies. Richard also served as Deputy for the Chem/Bio National Security Program and as Deputy for Safety and Security in Nuclear Weapons Engineering Campaign 6, where he created and funded technology projects to develop nuclear weapon qualification capabilities.
In 2010, Richard became the Senior Manager of the Complex Systems for National Security organization. While serving in this role, Richard accepted additional responsibilities as Laboratory Lead for the Resilience in Complex Systems Research Challenge; Program Manager for the Disaster Management and Resilience Program in the International, Homeland, and Nuclear Security (IHNS) Program Management Unit; and IHNS Laboratory Directed Research and Development Investment Area Lead.
Richard has a master’s degree and PhD in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University. He also received a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Arizona State University. Since 2017, Richard has served as an external advisory board member for Texas A&M University’s Department of Nuclear Energy and for University of New Mexico’s Department of Nuclear Energy.
Last modified February 20, 2024, 7:46am MST
