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.
Division Spotlight
Reactor Physics
The division's objectives are to promote the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the fundamental physical phenomena characterizing nuclear reactors and other nuclear systems. The division encourages research and disseminates information through meetings and publications. Areas of technical interest include nuclear data, particle interactions and transport, reactor and nuclear systems analysis, methods, design, validation and operating experience and standards. The Wigner Award heads the awards program.
Meeting Spotlight
2022 ANS Annual Meeting
June 12–16, 2022
Anaheim, CA|Anaheim Hilton
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
Dec 2021
Jul 2021
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
December 2021
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
November 2021
Latest News
Maximizing decommissioning lessons learned
Larry W. Camper
The track record for the successful decommissioning of nuclear facilities, both nationally and internationally, is impressive. In the United States, we have decommissioned many nuclear facilities, including complex materials sites, uranium recovery sites, research and test reactors, and nuclear power plants. To date, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 10 nuclear power plants have been completely decommissioned for unrestricted use, and another 26 power reactor sites are currently undergoing decommissioning through either SAFSTOR or DECON, following NRC regulatory requirements. In addition, the Nuclear Energy Institute identifies three nuclear power plants that were successfully decommissioned outside of NRC jurisdiction. While such a track record is impressive, the nuclear industry must be vigilant in focusing on lessons learned in order to continue to make gains in efficiency, cost savings, improved environmental stewardship, and enhanced stakeholder confidence. In reviewing the outcomes of decommissioning over many years, a number of key lessons learned have emerged.
The American Nuclear Society provides statements which reflect the Society's perspectives on issues of public interest that involve various aspects of nuclear science and technology. Position statements are prepared by key members whose relevant experience or publications inform the documents and then the documents are reviewed by ANS committees and divisions. The final position statements are approved by the Board of Directors.
Advanced Reactors — ANS-35-2018
Read the Statement
Assuring U.S. Global Nuclear Leadership — ANS-83-2021
Clearance of Solid Materials from Nuclear Facilities — ANS-50-2008
Creation of an Independent Entity to Manage U.S. Used Nuclear Fuel — ANS-22-2015
Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Reactors — ANS-13-2015
Disposal of Low-Level Radioactive Waste — ANS-11-2017
More:Background Information
Disposition of Surplus Weapons Plutonium — ANS-47-2020
Diversity in the Nuclear Profession — ANS-66-2018
Food Irradiation — ANS-28-2016
Fusion Energy — ANS-12-2016
Health Effects of Low-Level Radiation — ANS-41-2020
More:Background InformationTechnical Brief
Interim Storage of Used or Spent Nuclear Fuel — ANS-76-2017
Licensing of Yucca Mountain as a Geological Repository for Radioactive Wastes — ANS-80-2017
Maintaining a Viable Nuclear Industry Workforce — ANS-29-2006
Nonproliferation — ANS-55-2009
Nuclear Energy's Role in Climate Change Policy — ANS-44-2019
More:Platform
Nuclear Engineering Licensure — ANS-61-2016
Nuclear Facility Safety Standards — ANS-24-2006
Nuclear Fuel Recycling — ANS-45-2014
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission — ANS-77-2016
Nuclear Technology's Critical Role In The World's Future Energy Supply — ANS-43-2019
Price-Anderson Act — ANS-54-2019
Research and Training Reactors — ANS-53-2011
Risk-Informed and Performance-Based Regulations for Nuclear Power Plants — ANS-46-2017
Safety of Nuclear Power — ANS-51-2021
Small Modular Reactors — ANS-25-2020
Societal Benefits of Radiation — ANS-73-2008
Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion Systems — ANS-40-2009
Stewardship of Nuclear Engineering Education — ANS-21-2007
Transportation of Radioactive Materials — ANS-18-2021
More:Backgrounder
U.S. Commercial Nuclear Power Plants: A Vital National Asset — ANS-26-2017
U.S. Radioisotope Supply — ANS-30-2004
The Use of Highly Enriched Uranium for the Production of Medical Isotopes — ANS-72-2005
The Use of Thorium as Nuclear Fuel — ANS-78-2006
