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
Jan 2026
Jul 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
January 2026
Nuclear Technology
December 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
November 2025
Latest News
From Capitol Hill: Nuclear is back, critical for America’s energy future
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy convened its first hearing of the year, “American Energy Dominance: Dawn of the New Nuclear Era,” on January 7, where lawmakers and industry leaders discussed how nuclear energy can help meet surging electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence, data centers, advanced manufacturing, and national security needs.
W. M. Stacey, J. P. Aldridge, R. L. Beilke, L. G. Bryson, E. P. Davidson, T. A. Deterding, J. G. Evans, E. M. Fort, R. D. Jeffcoat, S. Klima, M. T. McLain, A. D. Nielsen, M. J. O'Neill, G. Y. Poe, H. U. Rehman, B. H. Rose, G. M. Roach, A. O. Rodriguez, R. T. Still, D. D. Thomas, M. P. Valenzano
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 33 | Number 4 | July 1998 | Pages 443-455
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST98-A43
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A design concept for a fusion neutron source-based tritium production reactor has been developed, where liquid Li is used as the coolant and tritium breeder and V-4 Cr-4 Ti is used as the structural material. The fusion neutron source is predicated on the physics and technology that will be demonstrated in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The present design can produce 2 kg/yr excess tritium for weapons replenishment operating at fusion power levels of 300 to 750 MW and with corresponding plant availability factors of 25 to 10%. No structural component should fail as a result of radiation damage during the 40-yr lifetime of the reactor, and it should be possible to dispose of the radioactive waste created upon decommissioning as low-level waste that qualifies for shallow land burial. A fusion tritium production reactor based on ITER physics and technology would seem to be a realistic option for satisfying the nation's tritium production needs.