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Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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!
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
January 2026
Nuclear Technology
December 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
November 2025
Latest News
What’s the most difficult question you’ve been asked as a maintenance instructor?
Blye Widmar
"Where are the prints?!"
This was the final question in an onslaught of verbal feedback, comments, and critiques I received from my students back in 2019. I had two years of instructor experience and was teaching a class that had been meticulously rehearsed in preparation for an accreditation visit. I knew the training material well and transferred that knowledge effectively enough for all the students to pass the class. As we wrapped up, I asked the students how they felt about my first big system-level class, and they did not hold back.
“Why was the exam from memory when we don’t work from memory in the plant?” “Why didn’t we refer to the vendor documents?” “Why didn’t we practice more on the mock-up?” And so on.
Technical Session|Panel|Panels
Wednesday, April 24, 2024|10:15AM–12:00PM PDT|Imperial Ballroom
Session Chair:
Samuel E. Bays
Session Organizer:
Alternate Chair:
Massimiliano Fratoni
This panel will discuss topics related to the initial test program for first-of-a-kind (FOAK) advanced reactors. Dr. Sam Bays will provide a historical overview of past advanced reactor test programs as documented in his team's report, "Startup Physics Testing of Advanced Reactors - A Historical Review". Dr. Bays and Dr. Abe Weitzberg have co-chaired the ANS working group, Initial Fuel Loading and Startup Physics Tests for FOAK Advanced Reactors, ANS-19.13. Current findings of ANS-19.13 will be discussed. Dr. Nader Satvat of Kairos Power will be providing an overview of current test plans for the HERMES reactor. Mr. Mike Prible of Westinghouse will provide his perspectives leading the startup physics testing of AP1000 pressurized water reactors.
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