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Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Robotics & Remote Systems
The Mission of the Robotics and Remote Systems Division is to promote the development and application of immersive simulation, robotics, and remote systems for hazardous environments for the purpose of reducing hazardous exposure to individuals, reducing environmental hazards and reducing the cost of performing work.
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
Bipartisan Fusion Energy Act pushes for regulatory clarity
Sen. Alex Padilla (D., Calif.) introduced the Fusion Energy Act (S. 4151) last month with a bipartisan group of cosponsors—John Cornyn (R., Texas), Cory Booker (D., N.J.), Todd Young (R., Ind.), and Patty Murray (D., Wash.). The legislation would codify the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s regulatory authority over commercial fusion energy systems to streamline the creation of clear federal regulations that will support the development of commercial fusion power plants—and would require a report within one year on a study of risk- and performance-based, design-specific licensing frameworks for “mass-manufactured fusion machines.
“Congress must do everything in its power to ensure continued U.S. leadership in developing commercial fusion energy facilities,” said Padilla as he introduced the bill. “The Fusion Energy Act would provide regulatory certainty for investors as the NRC develops and streamlines frameworks for such facilities.”
18th International Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Analysis (PSA 2023)
Dr. Curtis Smith is the Director of the INL Nuclear Safety and Regulatory Research Division, leading a staff of 83 scientists and engineers supporting the demonstration of innovative nuclear energy solutions and resilient critical infrastructure. Prior to taking a leadership role as Division Director, he led several risk-informed activities including the Risk-Informed Systems Analysis Pathway under the Department of Energy Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program; the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s SAPHIRE risk analysis software development; the Risk Integration and Uncertainty Working Group for the NASA Interagency Nuclear Safety Review Panel for both the Mars 2020 and Mars Science Laboratory missions; and served on the executive committee for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Safety Engineering and Risk Analysis Division. In 2023, Dr. Smith was awarded the INL Laboratory Director Award for Leadership. He was also awarded the Idaho State University 2023 Professional Achievement Award for the College of Science and Engineering.
Dr. Smith has been at INL for over 33 years and has published over 300 papers, books, and reports on risk, safety, and reliability theory and applications. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in nuclear engineering from Idaho State University and a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from MIT.
Last modified June 6, 2023, 3:29pm EDT
