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Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Winter Conference & Expo
November 15–18, 2026
Phoenix, AZ|Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
October 2026
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
August 2026
Latest News
Five companies, five bases: The Army’s Janus Program takes shape
Between the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses and Nuclear Energy Launch Pad programs, August has already been a busy month for federal partnerships with the nuclear industry.
That trend continues: On Wednesday, the Department of the Army announced that it has selected five nuclear reactor developers—Antares Nuclear, BWXT Advanced Technologies, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, Radiant Industries, and Westinghouse Government Services—each paired with a different military installation, for its Janus Program.
This week, the nuclear community descended on Dallas, Texas, for the second annual Nuclear Energy Conference and Expo, the premier industry-focused nuclear conference cohosted by the American Nuclear Society and the Nuclear Energy Institute. Among the plenary panelists was Jeff Waksman, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy, and environment. Waksman has been closely involved in the development of the Janus Program, and the morning before the program’s new selections were unveiled, he provided insights on its ultimate goals at NECX 2026.
Technical Session|Panel|Panels
Saturday, April 6, 2024|3:15–4:35PM EDT|Hallowell Nuclear Innovation Commons
Session Chair:
Christopher T. Balbier (Penn State)
Session Organizer:
Jonathan B. Balog (Penn State)
Advanced technologies for reactors encompass a diverse range of innovations aimed at improving safety, efficiency, and versatility in nuclear energy production. These include Generation IV reactor designs like molten salt reactors (MSRs), high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs), and sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFRs), which offer enhanced fuel utilization, reduced waste, and inherent safety features. Advancements in materials science, digital instrumentation, and control systems, along with artificial intelligence, are further improving reactor performance and reliability. Innovations in fuel cycle technologies, such as advanced reprocessing and closed fuel cycles, aim to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. However, there are two specific technologies that can help accelerate reactor deployment and enhance operations: digital twins and additive manufacturing. Join our experts as they detail the opportunities and challenges presented by these technologies!
Guha Manogharan
Penn State University - College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Craig Dempsey
Naval Nuclear Laboratory
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Attachment — Advanced Technologies Bios