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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.
Meeting Spotlight
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
February 2024
Latest News
Can hydrogen be the transportation fuel in an otherwise nuclear economy?
Let’s face it: The global economy should be powered primarily by nuclear power. And it probably will by the end of this century, with a still-significant assist from renewables and hydro. Once nuclear systems are dominant, the costs come down to where gas is now; and when carbon emissions are reduced to a small portion of their present state, it will become obvious that most other sources are only good in niche settings. I mean, why use small modular reactors to load-follow when they can just produce that power instead of buffering it?
L. C. Carlson, M. A. Johnson, T. L. Bunn
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 70 | Number 2 | August-September 2016 | Pages 141-153
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST15-248
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Topographical modifications of spherical surfaces are imprinted on National Ignition Facility target capsules by extending the capabilities of a recently developed full-surface (4π) laser ablation and mapping apparatus. The laser ablation method combines the precision, energy density, and long reach of a focused laser beam to preimpose sinusoidal modulations on the outside surface of high-density carbon capsules and the inside surface of glow discharge polymer capsules. Sinusoidal modulations described in this paper have submicron to tens of microns vertical scale and wavelengths as small as 30 μm and as large as 200 μm. The modulated patterns are created by rastering a focused laser fired at discrete capsule surface locations for a specified number of pulses. The computer program developed to create these raster patterns uses inputs such as the laser beam intensity profile, the material removal function, the starting surface figure, and the desired surface figure. The patterns are optimized to minimize surface roughness. In this paper, simulated surfaces are compared with actual ablated surfaces measured using confocal microscopy.