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.
Thomas J. Dolan
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 61 | Number 3 | April 2012 | Pages 240-247
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST12-A13537
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Injection of lithium deuteride or lithium tritide pellets into fusion devices could simultaneously provide partial deep-penetration fueling of the core plasma and replenishing of the lithium wall/divertor coating. The main problems are possible impurity accumulation and undesirable effects of lithium films on windows, mirrors, and insulators. The potential benefits include better pellet manufacture, acceleration, transmission, penetration, and good lithium wall/divertor coating.