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.
B.A. Smith, R.J. Thome, Z. Piek, M.M. Olmstead
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 19 | Number 3 | May 1991 | Pages 1183-1188
Ignition Device | doi.org/10.13182/FST91-A29503
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The assembly features of the Compact Ignition Tokamak (CIT) require that the internal coils be modular in nature. Each of the four coils consists of six segments with each segment being U-shaped and integrated with each toroidal field (TF) coil's subassembly. The U-shape enables inter-connection of the segments to be made radially outward of the TF structure in a region serviceable by remote maintenance equipment. Turns in each internal coil segment must be jumpered to the corresponding turn in the adjacent segment. The design of the subassemblies which provide for turn jumpering and lead connection are described. Both employ twelve silver-plated, C15715 or C15725, alumina-dispersion-strengthened copper alloy pins at each turn electrical joint. Full-scale tests on single and multiple C15725 pins have been carried out with relative motion to demonstrate feasibility. Test results to date after 16,000 cycles of 1 mm mechanical motion along the pin axis have demonstrated the ability of each pin to carry the required 3333 A for 20 seconds with a temperature rise from 80 K to less than 300 K. Electrical tests conducted during the mechanical tests showed improved contact resistance with mechanical cycling and at higher currents. Preliminary tests on a modified pin design to reduce insertion force, and using C15715 material, have shown current carrying capability at least as good as the earlier design.