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.
Mohamed A. Abdou
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 8 | Number 1 | July 1985 | Pages 1081-1090
Nuclear Technology Development Issue and Need (Finesse) | Proceedings of the Sixth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (San Francisco, California, March 3-7, 1985) | doi.org/10.13182/FST85-A39916
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
FINESSE is a study concerned with technical planning of experiments and facilities for fusion nuclear technology research and development. The effort is focused on: a) understanding the key issues, b) developing the scientific basis for engineering scaling and experimental planning, and c) identifying the characteristics, role and timing of major facilities required. Fusion nuclear technology is found to have many of fusion's remaining unresolved feasibility and attractiveness issues. Resolving these issues requires new knowledge from experiments and theory. Non-neutron test stands can play an important role in liquid metal blanket experiments. Fission reactors have some limitations, but they provide the bulk heating and radiation effects necessary for many solid breeder blanket experiments. Concept verification for fusion nuclear components may not be possible prior to testing in fusion devices.