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.
Division Spotlight
Decommissioning & Environmental Sciences
The mission of the Decommissioning and Environmental Sciences (DES) Division is to promote the development and use of those skills and technologies associated with the use of nuclear energy and the optimal management and stewardship of the environment, sustainable development, decommissioning, remediation, reutilization, and long-term surveillance and maintenance of nuclear-related installations, and sites. The target audience for this effort is the membership of the Division, the Society, and the public at large.
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
May 2024
Jan 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
June 2024
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Securing the advanced reactor fleet
Physical protection accounts for a significant portion of a nuclear power plant’s operational costs. As the U.S. moves toward smaller and safer advanced reactors, similar protection strategies could prove cost prohibitive. For tomorrow’s small modular reactors and microreactors, security costs must remain appropriate to the size of the reactor for economical operation.
J. Northall, E. H. Norris, J. P. Knowles, J. R. Petherbridge
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 80 | Number 3 | May 2024 | Pages 495-503
Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/15361055.2023.2223710
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The reaction of uranium deuteride with nitrogen has been investigated at room temperature followed by a thermal ramp to a furnace temperature of 230°C. This work utilized about 100 g of uranium deuteride that underwent seven absorption/desorption cycles with deuterium to provide a higher surface area on which to observe the reaction. Reactions were performed by flowing a mixture of N2 and 3He (95:5) through the UD3 sample. The reaction was monitored via mass spectrometry and pressure measurement. Evidence of partial consumption of N2 to form D2 and U2N3 was indicated at room temperature with the reaction limited to the sample surface. Increasing the sample furnace temperature to 230°C resulted in the full consumption of N2 and the associated generation of lower stoichiometry nitrides and D2. These results highlight that the reaction between nitrogen and uranium deuteride can occur at room temperature and that uranium beds are susceptible to a small loss in capacity when exposed to nitrogen.