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Division Spotlight
Operations & Power
Members focus on the dissemination of knowledge and information in the area of power reactors with particular application to the production of electric power and process heat. The division sponsors meetings on the coverage of applied nuclear science and engineering as related to power plants, non-power reactors, and other nuclear facilities. It encourages and assists with the dissemination of knowledge pertinent to the safe and efficient operation of nuclear facilities through professional staff development, information exchange, and supporting the generation of viable solutions to current issues.
Meeting Spotlight
2025 ANS Annual Conference
June 15–18, 2025
Chicago, IL|Chicago Marriott 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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July 2025
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Smarter waste strategies: Helping deliver on the promise of advanced nuclear
At COP28, held in Dubai in 2023, a clear consensus emerged: Nuclear energy must be a cornerstone of the global clean energy transition. With electricity demand projected to soar as we decarbonize not just power but also industry, transport, and heat, the case for new nuclear is compelling. More than 20 countries committed to tripling global nuclear capacity by 2050. In the United States alone, the Department of Energy forecasts that the country’s current nuclear capacity could more than triple, adding 200 GW of new nuclear to the existing 95 GW by mid-century.
Hattan Natto, Haori Yang
Nuclear Technology | Volume 210 | Number 1 | January 2024 | Pages 137-146
Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2023.2217058
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Two groups of Cherenkov glass detectors, containing six samples in total, have been produced in our laboratory with different compositions and configurations. The first group included three samples that were made of SiO2, and the other group contained three samples that were made of PbO+SiO2. All the samples were tested by using a PuBe source. Wavelength shifting (WLS) fibers were implemented in four samples (two from each group) to improve the light output of the Cherenkov detectors. Even though Cherenkov detectors have low noise due to the low-energy threshold and short decay constant (on the order of picoseconds), their light yield is low. A few hundred Cherenkov photons can be generated per mega-electron-volt. Without the WLS materials, most Cherenkov photons are likely to be absorbed within the glass sample before they can reach the photon sensor. WLS fibers do not directly increase the number of Cherenkov photons, but they can reduce the energy of Cherenkov photons and direct them toward the photon sensor. This photon energy reduction helps increase the efficiency of light collection and improves matching between photon wavelength and photon detector quantum efficiency. The objective of this work is to test Cherenkov glass detectors for the detection of neutrons by placing a 1-mm layer of Gd2O3 in front of the detectors. The focus is to increase the output light by observing the effect of the WLS fibers on the detection process with the use of different composition samples. The light output of the Cherenkov detectors was expected to increase more in the lead group than in the silicon group. Most of the Cherenkov energies are likely to be deposited within the glass sample. The approach is to direct the WLS photons to the photon sensor by allowing the energy deposition that takes place in the WLS fibers. A detailed model by Geant4 confirmed that the measured observations were reasonable. Both experimental and simulated results show an increase in light output when WLS fibers are added to the detectors.