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Division Spotlight
Materials Science & Technology
The objectives of MSTD are: promote the advancement of materials science in Nuclear Science Technology; support the multidisciplines which constitute it; encourage research by providing a forum for the presentation, exchange, and documentation of relevant information; promote the interaction and communication among its members; and recognize and reward its members for significant contributions to the field of materials science in nuclear technology.
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.
Technical Session
Thursday, May 12, 2022|10:00AM–12:00PM EDT|Calypso
Session Chair:
Ron Litchford (NASA)
Session Organizer:
Alternate Chair:
John Scott (NASA)
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Nuclear Electric Propulsion Modular Power Conversion Model
Dennis Nikitaev (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.), Corey D. Smith (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.), Matthew Duchek (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.), Christopher Harnack (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.), William Machemer (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.), Emanuel Grella (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.)
Paper
SPEAR Probe: Advanced Thermoelectric Power Generation for Nuclear Electric Space Propulsion
Troy Howe (Howe Industries), Steve D. Howe (Howe Industries), Jack Miller (Howe Industries), Nathan Blaylock (Howe Industries), Brianna Clements (Howe Industries)
Brayton Cycle Power Conversion Model for MW-Class Nuclear Electric Propulsion Mars Missions
Christopher Harnack (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.), William Machemer (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.), Matthew Duchek (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.), Emanuel Grella (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.), Dennis Nikitaev (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.), Corey D. Smith (Analytical Mechanics Assoc.)
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