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2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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Latest News
DOE signs two more OTAs in Reactor Pilot Program
This week, the Department of Energy has finalized two new other transaction agreements (OTAs) with participating companies in its Reactor Pilot Program, which aims to get one or two fast-tracked reactors on line by July 4 of this year. Those companies are Terrestrial Energy and Oklo.
M.A Ulrickson, C. Baxi, J. Brooks, D. Driemeyer, A. Hassenein, C. E. Kessel, B. E. Nelson, T. Rognlein, J. C. Wesley
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 39 | Number 2 | March 2001 | Pages 378-382
Advanced Designs | doi.org/10.13182/FST01-A11963263
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A design study of a Fusion Ignition Research Experiment (FIRE) is underway to investigate and assess near term opportunities for advancing the scientific understanding of self-heated fusion plasmas. The emphasis for the FIRE program is on understanding the behavior of plasmas dominated by alpha heating (Q ≥ 5). Study activities have focused on the technical evaluation of a compact, high field, highly shaped tokamak. One of the key issues for the design is to find suitable plasma facing components (PFCs). We have investigated a variety of plasma edge and divertor conditions ranging from reduced recycling high heat flux conditions (attached) to reduced heat flux detached operation. The inner divertor detaches easily while impurities must be added to the outer divertor to achieve detachment. The outer divertor and private space baffle will have to be actively cooled. The plasma-facing surface of the divertor is tungsten bonded to a CuCrZr heat sink. The remainder of the PFCs are beryllium coated copper attached to the vacuum vessel. Plasma current disruptions impose strong constraints on the design. Appreciable PFC surface melting and evaporation and onset of “plasma shielding” are expected. The forces induced on the PFC due to disruptions determine the size of the attachment of the PFC to the vacuum vessel.