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Division Spotlight
Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
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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Nuclear Science and Engineering
July 2025
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Latest News
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.
Vivek Agarwal, John W. Buttles, Ahmad Al-Rashdan (INL), Ryan Pitcher (Idaho State Univ), Chad J. Kiger (AMS)
Proceedings | Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control, and Human-Machine Interface Technolgies (NPIC&HMIT 2019) | Orlando, FL, February 9-14, 2019 | Pages 1504-1513
Most operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) in the United States have received approval to extend their operating licenses to 60 years. Now the nuclear industry is preparing to extend operating licenses to 80 years. While NPPs are preparing for extensions (60 years and beyond), the nuclear industry is facing a unique economic sustainability challenge in the current energy market. This is partly because the domestic nuclear industry is dependent on a high number of skilled workers to perform operation and maintenance activities. This labor-centric business model is cost prohibitive and results in high operations and maintenance costs. One of the activities performed by skilled workers in a NPP on a regular basis is manual concurrent or independent verification of manual valve position. This activity presents human error opportunities, operational and safety challenges, and regulatory compliance impacts, in addition to high labor costs. To address these concerns, a wireless valve position indication sensor technology is developed and matured by Idaho National Laboratory. In this paper, advancements achieved in the design, development, testing, and demonstration of a prototype wireless valve position indication sensor system are presented. The paper presents the electromagnetic interference evaluation of the prototype; design and development of three-dimensional (3-D) adjustable and reconfigurable universal sensor mounting units; improved quality-of-service and reliability of wireless communication; and demonstration of the technology on an experimental flow-loop fitted with nine manual valves for different valve configurations.