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.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
Latest Magazine Issues
Jun 2026
Jan 2026
2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
July 2026
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Valar’s Ward 250 reaches criticality in Utah
El Segundo, Calif.–based start-up Valar Atomics has taken its Ward 250 test reactor critical at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab (USREL), becoming the second company in the Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program to reach the milestone, and, according to the DOE, the first to do so outside a national laboratory.
The DOE celebrated the achievement in a June 18 announcement, describing it as a "zero-power fueled criticality demonstration." The news follows a similar update for Antares Nuclear's Mark-0 reactor, which the DOE said achieved criticality at Idaho National Laboratory earlier this month.
NUCLEAR AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR SPACE (NETS-2025) PLENARY SPEAKER
Joseph K. Miller is the president of BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC (AT), a subsidiary of BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) focused on demonstrating and deploying new nuclear technology for terrestrial and space applications. He is also president of subsidiaries Cunico Corporation and Dynamic Controls, Ltd.
During his 24-year career, Mr. Miller served in the U.S. Navy onboard the USS Norfolk (SSN 714). He was mechanical test engineer for new construction of Virginia-class submarines, as well as a semiconductor equipment engineer.
At BWXT, Mr. Miller served as a system design manager of various nuclear engineering projects as well as test engineering manager, validating the design of the mPower™ small modular reactor nuclear steam supply system.
Under Mr. Miller’s leadership, Advanced Technologies is currently active in delivering the advanced microreactor demonstration for Project Pele and its commercial microreactor product named BANR. AT is also serving as the designer and manufacturer for DARPA and NASA’s DRACO program to demonstrate space nuclear propulsion.
Mr. Miller holds a master’s degree in radiation health physics from Oregon State University. He serves on the Central Virginia Community College Educational Foundation Board, the Nuclear Energy Maritime Organization Ltd. Board and the Oregon State University Nuclear Science and Engineering Advisory Board.
Last modified February 26, 2025, 3:51pm CST