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
Laser-crystal sensor measures strong magnetic fields in challenging environments
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have patented a magneto-optical sensor, which uses a rare earth crystal and laser light to measure the strength of intense magnetic fields and electrical currents.
“We think this technology is a pretty major improvement in measuring magnetic fields,” said Israel Owens, a Sandia physicist and co-inventor of the sensor. “We think it’ll be essential especially for research in fusion, high-energy physics, and the power utilities industry. We’re really excited about where things are going.”
P. Balligand, P. Le Gouellec, M. Dumont, A. Grauby
Nuclear Technology | Volume 38 | Number 1 | April 1978 | Pages 90-96
Technical Paper | Low-Temperature Nuclear Heat / Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/NT78-A16160
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Since 1972, the Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, Electricité de France, and the French Ministry of Agriculture have jointly examined the possibility of using thermal wastes from nuclear power plants for the benefit of agricultural production. A new process to heat greenhouses with water at 303 K using a double-wall plastic mulching laid directly on the soil has been successfully used for a few years on several hectares. When necessary, heat pumps are utilized. Very good results have been obtained for tomatoes, cucumbers, flowers, and strawberries, etc. Outdoor soil heating with buried pipes has been tested in Cadarache near an experimental pressurized water reactor for market garden crops and forestry. Gains in precocity and yield have been excellent, especially for asparagus, strawberries, and potatoes. Growing of eels has been four times faster in warm water over one year.