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.
Neill P. Taylor, Edward T. Cheng, David A. Petti, Massimo Zucchetti
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 39 | Number 2 | March 2001 | Pages 350-356
Fusion Technology Plenary | doi.org/10.13182/FST01-A11963259
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The minimization of active waste from the operation and decommissioning of a fusion power plant is a common goal of fusion development programs in Europe and in the US. Approaches differ, according to national regulations, and include reuse and recycling, clearance for non-active disposal or free-release recycling, and shallow land burial. Adopting the minimization of active waste volume as a design requirement leads to a Low Activation Design if properly optimized for materials choices. Power plant studies, both ARIES in the US and the PPCS in Europe, are adopting strategies to meet such requirements. International collaboration, particularly in the frame of an IEA co-operative program, provides benefits in the development of waste management strategies.