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Division Spotlight
Reactor Physics
The division's objectives are to promote the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the fundamental physical phenomena characterizing nuclear reactors and other nuclear systems. The division encourages research and disseminates information through meetings and publications. Areas of technical interest include nuclear data, particle interactions and transport, reactor and nuclear systems analysis, methods, design, validation and operating experience and standards. The Wigner Award heads the awards program.
Meeting Spotlight
International Conference on Mathematics and Computational Methods Applied to Nuclear Science and Engineering (M&C 2025)
April 27–30, 2025
Denver, CO|The Westin Denver Downtown
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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Latest News
ANS designates Armour Research Foundation Reactor as Nuclear Historic Landmark
The American Nuclear Society presented the Illinois Institute of Technology with a plaque last week to officially designate the Armour Research Foundation Reactor a Nuclear Historic Landmark, following the Society’s decision to confer the status onto the reactor in September 2024.
Lynn E. Weaver, Kenneth R. Katsma
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 14 | Number 4 | December 1962 | Pages 380-383
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE62-A26245
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
An analytical approach is taken to develop a model of an optimum linear control system for a linearized approximation to a boiling water reactor. The optimization criterion used is the minimization of the mean-square error of the random fluctuation in the output variable due to boiling voids. In optimizing the system an acceleration constraint is placed on the control rod drive mechanism. The mean-square error of the output variable is calculated for various constraint levels. Results show that a considerable reduction in the mean-square error of the reactor output can be realized through external control.