ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
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
Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo (UWC 2024)
August 4–7, 2024
Marco Island, FL|JW Marriott Marco Island
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
Jul 2024
Jan 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
August 2024
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
ARPA-E announces $40 million to develop transmutation technologies for UNF
The Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) announced $40 million in funding to develop cutting-edge technologies to enable the transmutation of used nuclear fuel into less-radioactive substances. According to ARPA-E, the new initiative addresses one of the agency’s core goals as outlined by Congress: to provide transformative solutions to improve the management, cleanup, and disposal of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel.
A. Litnovsky, M. Matveeva, D. L. Rudakov, C. P. Chrobak, S. L. Allen, A. W. Leonard, P. L. Taylor, C. P. C. Wong, B. W. N. Fitzpatrick, J. W. Davis, A. A. Haasz, P. C. Stangeby, U. Breuer, V. Philipps, S. Möller
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 62 | Number 1 | July-August 2012 | Pages 97-103
Diagnostics | Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Conference on Fusion Reactor Materials, Part A: Fusion Technology | doi.org/10.13182/FST12-A14119
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Thermo-oxidation is controlled exposure in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at elevated temperature and is being considered as a technique for the de-tritiation of carbon-based codeposits in ITER. In addition, unplanned oxidation may also occur during accidental air ingress. The impact of thermo-oxidation on ITER diagnostic mirrors causes concerns. A dedicated study was performed in DIII-D, where molybdenum and copper mirrors were installed in the main chamber, in the divertor, and at a location remote from the plasma and exposed for [approximately]2 hours to a mixture containing 80% helium and 20% oxygen at a total pressure of 1.27 kPa. Mirrors in the main chamber and in the divertor were exposed at 350°C to 360°C whereas the temperature of mirrors in the remote area was [approximately]160°C.Reflectivity of all mirrors was degraded after thermo-oxidation showing a decrease in the UV range from 60% to 10% for molybdenum mirrors and a 90% drop for copper mirrors at the wavelength 250 nm. The reflectivity of mirrors exposed at lower temperature was less degraded. Surface analyses revealed formation of oxides on all mirrors.In ITER, shutters planned for mirror protection are ineffective against thermo-oxidation. Nevertheless, in-situ cleaning systems planned for ITER mirrors may efficiently remove oxide layers.