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Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
Meeting Spotlight
2024 ANS Annual Conference
June 16–19, 2024
Las Vegas, NV|Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
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
February 2024
Latest News
Can hydrogen be the transportation fuel in an otherwise nuclear economy?
Let’s face it: The global economy should be powered primarily by nuclear power. And it probably will by the end of this century, with a still-significant assist from renewables and hydro. Once nuclear systems are dominant, the costs come down to where gas is now; and when carbon emissions are reduced to a small portion of their present state, it will become obvious that most other sources are only good in niche settings. I mean, why use small modular reactors to load-follow when they can just produce that power instead of buffering it?
C. Fagan, M. Sharpe, W. T. Shmayda, W. U. Schröder
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 75 | Number 8 | November 2019 | Pages 1058-1063
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.1080/15361055.2019.1610308
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
In this work, Aluminum 6061-T6 samples were subjected to MIL-DTL-5541F type-I, class-3 anodic coatings, where a yellow irradiate finish was achieved. Both chromate-conversion coatings (CCCs) and unmodified samples were exposed to deuterium-tritium (PT = 0.51 atm) gas for 24 h at room temperature. Following loading, the samples were subjected to one of two desorption techniques: temperature-programmed desorption or a surface stripping technique. The results show that chromic-acid anodizing of aluminum dramatically increases the total quantity of tritium retained by the treated surface as compared to unmodified aluminum. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy studies of both treated aluminum and unmodified samples indicate that the CCCs contain significant quantities of hydrated chromium. Using transmission electron microscopy, the surface is shown to have significant cracking and fracturing of the film and leads to a highly grained and porous surface. Such surface defects coupled with the vast quantity of hydration sites are likely reasons for the increased retained tritium inventory observed for CCC samples. Because of the physical and chemical properties of unmodified CCC samples, they are not suitable for use in tritium environments.