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Division Spotlight
Materials Science & Technology
The objectives of MSTD are: promote the advancement of materials science in Nuclear Science Technology; support the multidisciplines which constitute it; encourage research by providing a forum for the presentation, exchange, and documentation of relevant information; promote the interaction and communication among its members; and recognize and reward its members for significant contributions to the field of materials science in nuclear technology.
Meeting Spotlight
Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo (UWC 2024)
August 4–7, 2024
Marco Island, FL|JW Marriott Marco Island
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
Latest News
Taking shape: Fusion energy ecosystems built with public-private partnerships
It’s possible to describe fusion in simple terms: heat and squeeze small atoms to get abundant clean energy. But there’s nothing simple about getting fusion ready for the grid.
Private developers, national lab and university researchers, suppliers, and end users working toward that goal are developing a range of complex technologies to reach fusion temperatures and pressures, confounded by science and technology gaps linked to plasma behavior; materials, diagnostics, and electronics for extreme environments; fuel cycle sustainability; and economics.
S. Woodruff, J. E. Stuber, C. Bowman, P. E. Sieck, P. A. Melnik, C. A. Romero-Talamás, J. B. O’Bryan, R. L. Miller
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 72 | Number 4 | November 2017 | Pages 705-712
Technical Note | doi.org/10.1080/15361055.2017.1350488
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A design point is presented here for a prototype fusion neutron source for waste transmutation ( n/s), based on the adiabatic compression of a compact torus (spheromak). The design utilizes the CORSICA (2D equilibrium) and NIMROD (3D time-dependent MHD) codes as well as analytic modeling with target parameters Rinitial = 0.5 m, Rfinal = 0.167 m, Tinitial = 0.4 keV, Tfinal = 4 keV, ninitial = 2 × 1020 m–3 and nfinal = 50 × 1020 m–3, with radial convergence of C = 3. 3D time-dependent simulations of spheromak compression agree well with analytic models for adiabatic compression, if the run-in time . Knowing required, we design coils and passive structure (with CORSICA) to ensure stability; then design the capacitor bank needed to both form the target plasma and drive coils. We specify target parameters for the compression in terms of plasma beta, formation efficiency and energy confinement.