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.
Ralph W. Moir
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 15 | Number 2 | March 1989 | Pages 674-679
Blanket and Shield Design | doi.org/10.13182/FST89-A39775
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A toroidal vortex of liquid FLiBe (LiF + BeF2) is suggested for the blanket of a fusion reactor. Because this reactor chamber has no solid first wall, it might avoid many of the problems that accompany conventional blanket design. The liquid blanket is sustained by nozzles that inject a continuous layer of cool liquid on the inner surface. A second set of nozzles sends a stream of droplets across the diverted scrape-off layer or edge plasma to carry its heat away. The feasibility issues of most importance are judged to be avoiding turbulent breakup of the vortex and preventing too much contamination of the plasma by the evaporating FLiBe.