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Division Spotlight
Mathematics & Computation
Division members promote the advancement of mathematical and computational methods for solving problems arising in all disciplines encompassed by the Society. They place particular emphasis on numerical techniques for efficient computer applications to aid in the dissemination, integration, and proper use of computer codes, including preparation of computational benchmark and development of standards for computing practices, and to encourage the development on new computer codes and broaden their use.
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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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.
Advanced Reactor Safety (ARS) SPeaker
Ana has been working in nuclear safety for 39 years. From 1995 to 2000, she worked at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) where she was responsible for activities on probabilistic safety assessment, safety performance indicators and safety related maintenance for nuclear power plants.
Ana joined the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation in 2000 where she was Head of Advanced Nuclear Technologies (2016 – 2020) and Head of HPR1000 Regulation (2016 – 2022). She led the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) of the UK HPR1000 reactor, a large project that concluded in January 2022 with the issuing of a Design Acceptance Confirmation for the UK HPR1000.
In May 2022 Ana joined IAEA as Head of the Safety Assessment Section (SAS). SAS is one of the five sections within the Division of Nuclear Installation Safety (NSNI) in the IAEA Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. As Head of SAS Ana leads a team of 20 staff to deliver the needs of the IAEA Member States in the areas of ‘design safety’ and ‘safety assessment methods and tools’ covering existing, evolutionary and innovative reactors, including small modular reactors, non-water-cooled reactors, transportable nuclear power plants, and fusion facilities.
Last modified March 20, 2024, 10:18am PDT