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
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
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Mar 2025
Jan 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
May 2025
Nuclear Technology
April 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
El Salvador: Looking to nuclear
In 2022, El Salvador’s leadership decided to expand its modest, mostly hydro- and geothermal-based electricity system, which is supported by expensive imported natural gas and diesel generation. They chose to use advanced nuclear reactors, preferably fueled by thorium-based fuels, to power their civilian efforts. The choice of thorium was made to inform the world that the reactor program was for civilian purposes only, and so they chose a fuel that was plentiful, easy to source and work with, and not a proliferation risk.
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
