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Division Spotlight
Accelerator Applications
The division was organized to promote the advancement of knowledge of the use of particle accelerator technologies for nuclear and other applications. It focuses on production of neutrons and other particles, utilization of these particles for scientific or industrial purposes, such as the production or destruction of radionuclides significant to energy, medicine, defense or other endeavors, as well as imaging and diagnostics.
Meeting Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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Nuclear Technology
July 2025
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Latest News
Take steps on SNF and HLW disposal
Matt Bowen
With a new administration and Congress, it is time once again to ponder what will happen—if anything—on U.S. spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste management policy over the next few years. One element of the forthcoming discussion seems clear: The executive and legislative branches are eager to talk about recycling commercial SNF. Whatever the merits of doing so, it does not obviate the need for one or more facilities for disposal of remaining long-lived radionuclides. For that reason, making progress on U.S. disposal capabilities remains urgent, lest the associated radionuclide inventories simply be left for future generations to deal with.
In March, Rick Perry, who was secretary of energy during President Trump’s first administration, observed that during his tenure at the Department of Energy it became clear to him that any plan to move SNF “required some practical consent of the receiving state and local community.”1
W. J. Lackey, R. E. Blanco, A. L. Lotts
Nuclear Technology | Volume 49 | Number 2 | July 1980 | Pages 321-324
Technical Note | Radioactive Waste | doi.org/10.13182/NT80-A32494
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Much of the sol-gel technology developed for reactor fuel fabrication is applicable to fixation of radioactive waste in glass or alternative crystalline forms. Generic advantages of the sol-gel process are the absence of dust, easy pneumatic transfer and sampling of either liquids or free flowing solid microspheres, product readily sinters to high density, and simple equipment amenable to remote operation. Initial attempts to prepare one of the leading candidate crystalline waste forms via the sol-gel process were successful.
