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Division Spotlight
Decommissioning & Environmental Sciences
The mission of the Decommissioning and Environmental Sciences (DES) Division is to promote the development and use of those skills and technologies associated with the use of nuclear energy and the optimal management and stewardship of the environment, sustainable development, decommissioning, remediation, reutilization, and long-term surveillance and maintenance of nuclear-related installations, and sites. The target audience for this effort is the membership of the Division, the Society, and the public at large.
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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Nuclear Science and Engineering
June 2025
Nuclear Technology
May 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Sam Altman steps down as Oklo board chair
Advanced nuclear company Oklo Inc. has new leadership for its board of directors as billionaire Sam Altman is stepping down from the position he has held since 2015. The move is meant to open new partnership opportunities with OpenAI, where Altman is CEO, and other artificial intelligence companies.
Daniel L. P. Watson, Ronald Daryll E. Gatchalian, Hui-Yu Hsieh, Pramatha Bhat, Pavel V. Tsvetkov
Nuclear Technology | Volume 211 | Number 1 | April 2025 | Pages S49-S61
Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2024.2423144
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A fast spectrum surface fission power microreactor for lunar deployment is conceptualized and modeled utilizing the primary design drivers of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy mass constraints, a 10-year operation lifetime, high-assay low-enrichment uranium fuel enrichment, a 100-kW(electric) system power rating, and a Stirling conversion cycle. The reactor is demonstrated to remain subcritical during launch accidents resulting in oceanic submersion and throughout control system failures in the highest reactivity positions. Neutron shielding requirements for the high-leakage core were satisfied with 40 cm of natural enrichment LiH at 100% solid density, while photon shielding for the reactor at full power exceeded the in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration scope of work design requirement 18960 DR-3 of 5 rem·y−1 at rates of 30 rem·y−1 for a 1-km standoff. A conversion cycle was approximated using an experimental carbon-carbon thermal radiator coupled with published analytical and experimental results for free-piston Stirling systems.