Realizing new technologies for the age of fusion energy

A quick note of congratulations to NASA's Mars Curiosity rover project team on the first anniversary of a daredevil landing on Mars on August 6, 2012.

Switch is a documentary on the worldwide future of energy directed by Harry Lynch and produced by Arcos Films, released in 2012.  Dr. Scott Tinker of the University of Texas takes viewers on a global tour of energy sites and facilities to explore the next energy transition of our civilization - the point at which energy derived from fossil fuels, versus from "everything else," switch places in terms of providing the majority of world energy.  The film posits that this enormous, colossal transition is likely to occur within 50 years.

A new time-lapse video shows early site preparation and containment vessel bottom head placement at the Plant Vogtle Electric Generating Plant near Waynesboro, Georgia. Two new nuclear power reactors are scheduled to begin operations at Plant Vogtle in 2017 and 2018. Along with two units under construction at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station in South Carolina, these will be the first new nuclear units built in the United States in the last three decades. Enjoy the show!

Make plans now to attend the American Nuclear Society's LWR Fuel Performance/ TopFuel 2013 Conference, to be held at the beautiful Westin Charlotte Hotel in the picturesque energy hub city of Charlotte, N.C., on September 15-19.

It's hot out! Across much of the United States, the largest heat wave of the summer has been stagnating all week.

Yes, indeed, you do have one. It's rather surprising that many people simply don't realize that radiation exists naturally all around us, and is part of our everyday lives-whether we are aware or not.

In this delightful video montage, meeting photographer Suzy Hobbs Baker takes us on a trip back to the people and events of the 2013 American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting. A big thank you to all attendees for your outstanding service in advancing the benefits of nuclear science and technology, and in making this meeting such a successful event.

This is a simply excellent video on nuclear energy for a wide audience. How much and how well can one person communicate on nuclear energy in less than 90 seconds? Click play to find out:

Richard K. Lester, head of the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was interviewed on National Public Radio's "Here & Now" program on Monday, July 8.  In this 15-minute segment, Lester gives his views on what's happening in nuclear energy now in the United States and worldwide. Are we at the end of nuclear power? Or at the beginning?

The July 2013 edition of the technical journal Nuclear Technology is available electronically and in hard copy for American Nuclear Society member subscribers and others.

The July 2013 edition of the technical journal Fusion Science and Technology is available electronically and in hard copy for American Nuclear Society member subscribers and others.

The July 2013 edition of the research journal Nuclear Science and Engineering is available both electronically and in hard copy for American Nuclear Society member subscribers and others.

Press release from Energy Northwest

GoogleTalks recently conducted a highly informative and entertaining interview session featuring Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, director Robert Stone, and the cast of the film Pandora's Promise:  Stewart Brand, Gwyneth Cravens, Michael Schellenberger, and Mark Lynas.

Nuclear Power - Teaming for the Future

Many honors and awards were presented at the 2013 American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting opening plenary session. Congratulations to four new ANS Fellows and several new honors and awards recipients, and thank you for your contributions to nuclear science and technology. Photos and citations:

Presenting a new nuclear energy TV commercial - unveiled at the 2013 American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting this week!

The President's Reception is an auspicious and delightful event that occurs on the eve of the Opening Plenary at the American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting. The reception provides an opportunity for meeting-goers to interact (mingle) with ANS elected leaders, catch up with long-time colleagues, and meet new ones. A few select photos from the 2013 ANS Annual Meeting President's Reception:

The Opening Plenary at the 2013 ANS Annual Meeting is now underway-and it's amazing how much goes on before the "Opening". Already on Saturday morning a Teachers Workshop was in progress, and Saturday evening the Global Leadership Reception was in full swing. A few select photos: