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Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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
November 2025
Latest News
Seconds Matter: Rethinking Nuclear Facility Security for the Modern Threat Landscape
In today’s rapidly evolving threat environment, nuclear facilities must prioritize speed and precision in their security responses—because in critical moments, every second counts. An early warning system serves as a vital layer of defense, enabling real-time detection of potential intrusions or anomalies before they escalate into full-blown incidents. By providing immediate alerts and actionable intelligence, these systems empower security personnel to respond decisively, minimizing risk to infrastructure, personnel, and the public. The ability to anticipate and intercept threats at the earliest possible stage not only enhances operational resilience but also reinforces public trust in the safety of nuclear operations. Investing in such proactive technologies is no longer optional—it’s essential for modern nuclear security.
O. Stein, Y. Liu, J. Streit, J. H. Campbell, Y. F. Lu, Y. Aglitskiy, N. Petta
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 73 | Number 2 | March 2018 | Pages 153-165
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.1080/15361055.2017.1406237
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Low-density foam targets were fabricated by direct laser writing using two-photon polymerization (2PP). The targets were used in high-energy-density shock-propagation experiments carried out on the NIKE laser system at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). The basic target comprised a rectilinear foam rod with a log-pile-like microstructure with overall dimensions of 2000 × 250 × 315 μm3 and a nominal density of ~100 mg/cm3. The foam block is topped with a 15-μm-thick, full-density ablation layer that is integrated into the 2PP printing process. The main challenge in fabricating the foam targets comes in maintaining dimensional and structural stability during 2PP postprocessing particularly during development, drying, and release from the substrate. Twelve 2PP foam rods were characterized and then built into targets. The characterization data show shrinkage of ~5% to 15% in overall dimensions attributed mainly to shrinkage of the acrylic resin (IP-Dip). Continuing development shows that use of the more stable IP-S commercial resin leads to significantly improved foam structure stability, reduced shrinkage, and a lower number of inherently weak stitching boundaries. The 12 targets provided to NRL have been shot; an example of the type of data obtained is presented.
