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Division Spotlight
Nuclear Criticality Safety
NCSD provides communication among nuclear criticality safety professionals through the development of standards, the evolution of training methods and materials, the presentation of technical data and procedures, and the creation of specialty publications. In these ways, the division furthers the exchange of technical information on nuclear criticality safety with the ultimate goal of promoting the safe handling of fissionable materials outside reactors.
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Jun 2025
Jan 2025
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
August 2025
Nuclear Technology
July 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Nagra publishes license applications for Swiss geologic repository
Nagra, Switzerland’s national cooperative for the disposal of radioactive waste, has published its general license applications for a deep geologic repository and separate spent fuel encapsulation plant, making the documents publicly available on a digital platform.
Chicago-Great Lakes Local Section Event
February 27, 2025|6:00–7:00PM (7:00–8:00PM EST)
Available to All Users
Join the ANS Chicago-Great Lakes Local Section for a presentation on the advancements in nuclear energy through the Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR) project at Abilene Christian University (ACU).
The presentation will focus on the MSRR's critical role in addressing global challenges, the advantages of using molten salt as a medium for energy production, safety features, the development timeline, key milestones, and future prospects for both Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The presentation will be followed by an interactive Q&A session into the MSRR's potential impacts on society and the environment.
Please register for this hybrid event and indicate whether you will be attending virtually or in person at the ANS Headquarters office (1111 Pasquinelli Dr., Suite 350, Westmont, IL 60559).
About the PresenterLester Towell, Director of Operations, ACU NEXT Lab, earned his bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics from Abilene Christian University in 1990. For the next four years, he served in the US Navy as an instructor at the Naval Nuclear Power School in Orlando, FL where he taught Reactor Principles and Physics. In 1995, Towell joined the Computer Information Systems department at Howard Payne University and moved to the Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing (NEXT) Lab at ACU in 2020 as the licensing manager for the first university advanced reactor in the country.