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 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
Latest Magazine Issues
Jul 2026
Jan 2026
2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2026
Nuclear Technology
August 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
The human factor in licensing and operating the next generation of nuclear plants
As human factors specialists working at the intersection of human performance and nuclear operations, we are witnessing one of the nuclear sector’s most significant transitions in decades. The emergence of small modular reactors, microreactors, and other advanced designs is reshaping the industry’s landscape. Digital instrumentation and controls, passive safety systems, and increased automation are creating opportunities for greater safety margins and more flexible operation. These same features also fundamentally redefine what it means to “operate” a nuclear plant. Interactions among human roles, automation, and passive systems shape how people maintain awareness, exercise judgment, and intervene when necessary. These developments affect both operational realities and the regulatory foundations on which nuclear safety is built.
Paul Day, Mark Cutkosky, Anastasia McLaughlin
Nuclear Technology | Volume 180 | Number 3 | December 2012 | Pages 450-455
Technical Note | Special Issue on the Initial Release of MCNP6 / Radioisotopes | doi.org/10.13182/NT12-A15356
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Irradiation of polymer-based directional dry adhesives with gamma photons has been performed. This irradiation is commensurate with the radiation that an adhesive sample would be exposed to if deployed in a nuclear glove box or other high-radiation environment. Before and after irradiation, samples were tested using a three-axis adhesive testing stage and were analyzed via a scanning electron microscope and a water droplet contact angle analyzer. At doses in excess of 270 kGy, the adhesive performance began to deteriorate, continuing to an overall performance reduction of 55% at a dose of [approximately]500 kGy. Significant changes in the surface energy of the bulk polymer are also indicated by changes in water droplet contact angles, contributing to the adhesion performance loss. Such analyses allow for quantitative statements to be made about the expected performance of these adhesives when deployed in high-radiation environments.