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Division Spotlight
Fusion Energy
This division promotes the development and timely introduction of fusion energy as a sustainable energy source with favorable economic, environmental, and safety attributes. The division cooperates with other organizations on common issues of multidisciplinary fusion science and technology, conducts professional meetings, and disseminates technical information in support of these goals. Members focus on the assessment and resolution of critical developmental issues for practical fusion energy applications.
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
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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.
Technical Session|Panel|Sponsored by HFICD
Wednesday, June 19, 2024|10:00–11:45AM PDT|Jasmine H
Session Chair:
Syed Bahauddin Alam
Session Organizer:
Vivek Agarwal
In alignment with the Department of Energy (DOE)'s mission to bolster America's security by addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges, this panel will delve into the potential of leveraging a Digital Twin (DT) approach powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), in Nuclear Plant Asset Management & Modernization. Specifically, this panel will shed light on both the technological promise and economic implications of prognostic and health management from Digital Twin approaches in tie with advanced cybersecurity solutions, with an emphasis on: (1) Predictive Maintenance & Degradation Monitoring: Harnessing Digital Twins to foresee maintenance needs and track asset degradation in real-time. (2) Data Integration & Interpretability: Consolidating heterogeneous data sources into coherent Digital Twin models while ensuring model transparency. (3) Economic Optimization: Evaluating the return on investment and risk reduction potential of Digital Twin adoption. (4) Cybersecurity Considerations: Ensuring regulatory alignment of Digital Twin capabilities in the realm of cybersecurity for nuclear infrastructures. (5) Strategic Collaboration: Working closely with the DOE to maximize Digital Twins' and cybersecurity impact. Overall, this panel aims to bridge innovation and implementation, offering a comprehensive perspective on how Digital Twins, integrated with cybersecurity and AI, can transform nuclear plant asset management. By convening experts across industry, government, and academia, we hope to chart a path toward increased efficiency, cyber-secured, and cost-effectiveness in maintaining these vital clean energy assets over their lifetime.
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