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
Jul 2026
Jan 2026
2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
August 2026
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Aalo Atomics achieves criticality on July 4
Executive Order 14301 set an ambitious goal for at least three test reactors to achieve criticality by July 4. Two private companies participating in the Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program—Antares and Valar Atomics—reached this stage earlier in June, and Deployable Energy—participating in the DOE's Nuclear Energy Launch Pad—became the third last week.
In the last few weeks, reports indicated that Aalo would be next, reaching criticality at Idaho National Laboratory with a low-enriched uranium–fueled, sodium-cooled reactor on or near the target date set forth by President Trump’s EO 14301. In the early hours of July 4, Aalo’s critical test reactor—a full-scale zero-power version of its planned 10-MWe Aalo-X—did just that, becoming the fourth DOE-authorized reactor to hit the milestone.
Day & Zimmermann (D&Z) is one of the largest family owned, privately held companies in the United States with a network of business divisions specializing in construction, engineering, operations and maintenance, staffing, security, and defense for leading corporations and governments worldwide. D&Z performs maintenance, capital projects, and specialty services at more than half of the country’s nuclear fleet. We specialize in servicing large, geographically dispersed power assets for dozens of utility companies. We work closely with local, state, and federal governments to ensure nuclear energy remains a safe, sustainable part of our domestic energy supply. As a leading craft employer, we annually hire more than 15,000 craft workers nationwide who deliver over 15.7 million hours worked. We partner with high schools, trade schools, building trades, and community colleges to promote careers in the nuclear industry. We also lead the industry in taking legislative action to drive workforce development funding. We believe nuclear skilled craft careers provide generations of high-paying jobs and are crucial to advancing nuclear technology and building modern America.
https://www.dayzim.com/services-and-products/maintenance-construction/nuclear