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.
G. Rodin, Y. L. Hwang, R. Carrera, R. Mohanti, C. A. Ordonez
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 19 | Number 3 | May 1991 | Pages 1745-1749
Impurity Control and Plasma-Facing Component | Proceedings of the Ninth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (Oak Brook, Illinois, October 7-11, 1990) | doi.org/10.13182/FST91-A29594
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A relatively simple and low cost first wall system concept for a fusion ignition experiment is proposed and analyzed here. The basic idea is to use plasma gun technology to spray a thin layer of beryllium over the inside surface in the vacuum vessel. This concept is analyzed for the fusion ignition experiment IGNITEX. To minimize peaking factors during regular operation, a continuous limiter plasma control is envisioned. With presently available data on beryllium coatings, a thermomechanical stress analysis during a major disruption process at ignition is analyzed. It is concluded that the basic concept of the full beryllium coating over the vacuum vessel is feasible on a preliminary basis. Some research and development needs in this area are discussed.