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Division Spotlight
Isotopes & Radiation
Members are devoted to applying nuclear science and engineering technologies involving isotopes, radiation applications, and associated equipment in scientific research, development, and industrial processes. Their interests lie primarily in education, industrial uses, biology, medicine, and health physics. Division committees include Analytical Applications of Isotopes and Radiation, Biology and Medicine, Radiation Applications, Radiation Sources and Detection, and Thermal Power Sources.
Meeting Spotlight
ANS Student Conference 2025
April 3–5, 2025
Albuquerque, NM|The University of New Mexico
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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Feb 2025
Jul 2024
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
March 2025
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
February 2025
Latest News
Colin Judge: Testing structural materials in Idaho’s newest hot cell facility
Idaho National Laboratory’s newest facility—the Sample Preparation Laboratory (SPL)—sits across the road from the Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF), which started operating in 1975. SPL will host the first new hot cells at INL’s Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) in 50 years, giving INL researchers and partners new flexibility to test the structural properties of irradiated materials fresh from the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) or from a partner’s facility.
Materials meant to withstand extreme conditions in fission or fusion power plants must be tested under similar conditions and pushed past their breaking points so performance and limitations can be understood and improved. Once irradiated, materials samples can be cut down to size in SPL and packaged for testing in other facilities at INL or other national laboratories, commercial labs, or universities. But they can also be subjected to extreme thermal or corrosive conditions and mechanical testing right in SPL, explains Colin Judge, who, as INL’s division director for nuclear materials performance, oversees SPL and other facilities at the MFC.
SPL won’t go “hot” until January 2026, but Judge spoke with NN staff writer Susan Gallier about its capabilities as his team was moving instruments into the new facility.
VIEW RECIPIENTSSUBMIT NOMINATION
Nomination Deadline
August 1
Presented
Winter Conference
Award
$5,000* and a Bronze Medallion
The E. Gail de Planque Medal recognizes exemplary accomplishments by a woman in the fields of nuclear science and engineering. This award is intended to recognize outstanding lifetime or singular achievements by women that have resulted in tangible benefits to the field of nuclear science and engineering. The award is to be given to a woman whose work in the field of engineering, education, research or public policy meets one or more of the following criteria:
Nominees may be from any nation, but they must not be deceased at the time the awardee is selected and need not be ANS members, but should be affiliated with the nuclear community in some manner.
The award may be presented to one or more individuals at the ANS Winter Conference. It consists of a bronze medallion, $5,000 monetary award*, and compensation (up to $1,500) for travel expenses incurred in attending the award presentation.
*In lieu of a cash award, recipients can opt for travel reimbursement up to the award amount.
This award has been established in honor of the late E. Gail de Planque, former NRC commissioner and first female president of the American Nuclear Society, who achieved many firsts for women in nuclear science. Dr. de Planque was actively involved in a variety of organizations for the peaceful advancement of nuclear energy and was the recipient of several national awards in honor of her visionary leadership in nuclear science, including ANS Fellow, the Outstanding Woman Scientist of the Year award from the New York Metropolitan Chapter of the Association for Women in Science in 1991 and the ANS Henry DeWolf Smyth Award for Nuclear Statesmanship in 2003. Dr. de Planque served as a commissioner of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and was later Director of the United States Department of Energy's Environmental Measurements Laboratory. Her strong scientific background was key in influencing and understanding public policy on nuclear and environmental issues. The award is funded by a contribution from the trust of E. Gail de Planque in 2011.
Nominations must include the completed nomination form accompanied by the following supporting documents:
View Award
