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Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Decommissioning & Environmental Sciences
The mission of the Decommissioning and Environmental Sciences (DES) Division is to promote the development and use of those skills and technologies associated with the use of nuclear energy and the optimal management and stewardship of the environment, sustainable development, decommissioning, remediation, reutilization, and long-term surveillance and maintenance of nuclear-related installations, and sites. The target audience for this effort is the membership of the Division, the Society, and the public at large.
Meeting Spotlight
2025 ANS Annual Conference
June 15–18, 2025
Chicago, IL|Chicago Marriott Downtown
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 2025
Jan 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
July 2025
Nuclear Technology
June 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
High-temperature plumbing and advanced reactors
The use of nuclear fission power and its role in impacting climate change is hotly debated. Fission advocates argue that short-term solutions would involve the rapid deployment of Gen III+ nuclear reactors, like Vogtle-3 and -4, while long-term climate change impact would rely on the creation and implementation of Gen IV reactors, “inherently safe” reactors that use passive laws of physics and chemistry rather than active controls such as valves and pumps to operate safely. While Gen IV reactors vary in many ways, one thing unites nearly all of them: the use of exotic, high-temperature coolants. These fluids, like molten salts and liquid metals, can enable reactor engineers to design much safer nuclear reactors—ultimately because the boiling point of each fluid is extremely high. Fluids that remain liquid over large temperature ranges can provide good heat transfer through many demanding conditions, all with minimal pressurization. Although the most apparent use for these fluids is advanced fission power, they have the potential to be applied to other power generation sources such as fusion, thermal storage, solar, or high-temperature process heat.1–3
2020 ANS Virtual Winter Meeting Plenary Session Speaker
Director, Nuclear Technology Innovation
Tennessee Valley Authority
Stout is Director, Nuclear Technology Innovation in TVA’s Nuclear Power Group. His responsibilities include the scope, schedule, budget and business planning associated with licensing and potential deployment of small modular reactors.
Stout has over 35 years of experience in the nuclear energy sector. Prior to joining TVA, Stout served as Director, Nuclear Fuel Recycling at the Department of Energy where he was responsible for planning and policy development regarding nuclear fuel recycling. Prior to that, from 1991 to 2006, Stout worked in the uranium enrichment industry with responsibility for research and development, engineering, and licensing of advanced uranium enrichment technologies and facilities.
Stout serves on the Board of the Nuclear Industry Council, is Chairman of SMR Start, serves as an adviser to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, advises Advanced Reactor developers and is an active member of the American Nuclear Society and the Nuclear Energy Institute.
From 1985 -1991, Stout served in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear submarine officer. He also served in the Naval Reserves in the Naval Special Warfare community from 1991-2007, retiring as a Commander.
Education
DEGREE
MAJOR
SCHOOL
YEAR
BS
Oceanography
U.S. Naval Academy
1985
MS
Engineering Management
National Technological University
1997
External Affiliations
Chairman, SMR Start (since 2016)
Board Member, Nuclear Industry Council (since 2010)
President, Home Owners Association (since 2013)
Finance Chair, Ooltewah United Methodist Church (since 2017)
Advisor, Oak Ridge National Lab Nuclear Science & Engineering Directorate (since 2018)
American Nuclear Society, various committees
Nuclear Energy Institute, various working groups
Last modified November 5, 2020, 9:15am EST
