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Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
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2024 ANS Annual Conference
June 16–19, 2024
Las Vegas, NV|Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
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!
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Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Commercial nuclear innovation "new space" age
In early 2006, a start-up company launched a small rocket from a tiny island in the Pacific. It exploded, showering the island with debris. A year later, a second launch attempt sent a rocket to space but failed to make orbit, burning up in the atmosphere. Another year brought a third attempt—and a third failure. The following month, in September 2008, the company used the last of its funds to launch a fourth rocket. It reached orbit, making history as the first privately funded liquid-fueled rocket to do so.
G. A. Cottrell, R. Pampin, N. P. Taylor
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 50 | Number 1 | July 2006 | Pages 89-98
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST06-A1224
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
We present calculations of the transmutation of initially pure tungsten first-wall and divertor plasma-facing armor into W-Re-Os alloys in the European Union Power Plant Conceptual Study (PPCS) fusion plant models A, B, and AB. The fusion neutron spectrum was modeled using the MCNP Monte Carlo code including resonance self-shielding effects, and we have calculated the evolution of the W-Re-Os alloy compositions. Trajectories of the alloys in the thermodynamic phase diagram show that the alloys remain in the single body-centered-cubic phase for their service lifetimes. Results for PPCS models A and B with soft neutron spectra show that the first-wall armor transmutes to an end-of-service alloy composition of approximately 91 at.% tungsten, 6 at.% rhenium, and 3 at.% osmium at its rear face. On the plasma-facing side of the tungsten, the effect of neutron shielding is larger. For PPCS model AB, the neutron spectrum is energetically harder, resulting in significantly lower tungsten transmutation rates.