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 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Latest Magazine Issues
Feb 2026
Jul 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
March 2026
Nuclear Technology
February 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
January 2026
Latest News
Fusion energy: Progress, partnerships, and the path to deployment
Over the past decade, fusion energy has moved decisively from scientific aspiration toward a credible pathway to a new energy technology. Thanks to long-term federal support, we have significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of plasma physics—the behavior of the superheated gases at the heart of fusion devices. This knowledge will enable the creation and control of fusion fuel under conditions required for future power plants. Our progress is exemplified by breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility and the Joint European Torus.
Christopher E. Hamilton, Diana Honnell, Brian M. Patterson, Derek W. Schmidt, Kimberly A. Defriend Obrey
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 59 | Number 1 | January 2011 | Pages 194-198
Technical Paper | Nineteenth Target Fabrication Meeting | doi.org/10.13182/FST59-194
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Low-density materials containing tracer elements are an important component of target platforms for high-energy density physics experiments. High-Z elements can be dispersed homogeneously by changing chemistry of the matrix or by simple physical mixing; alternately, tracers can be introduced heterogeneously in the form of ultrathin foils or particles. We have recently focused on how best to manufacture and embed tracer elements into silica aerogels and polystyrene-divinylbenzene (CH) foams. The ability to control dopant concentration and distribution is critical to final shot success. We have produced low-density CH foams doped with chlorine at levels up to 2 at. %. In addition, we have placed metal particles and foils precisely within silica aerogel monoliths.