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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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Nuclear Science and Engineering
May 2025
Nuclear Technology
April 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
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General Kenneth Nichols and the Manhattan Project
Nichols
The Oak Ridger has published the latest in a series of articles about General Kenneth D. Nichols, the Manhattan Project, and the 1954 Atomic Energy Act. The series has been produced by Nichols’ grandniece Barbara Rogers Scollin and Oak Ridge (Tenn.) city historian David Ray Smith. Gen. Nichols (1907–2000) was the district engineer for the Manhattan Engineer District during the Manhattan Project.
As Smith and Scollin explain, Nichols “had supervision of the research and development connected with, and the design, construction, and operation of, all plants required to produce plutonium-239 and uranium-235, including the construction of the towns of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Richland, Washington. The responsibility of his position was massive as he oversaw a workforce of both military and civilian personnel of approximately 125,000; his Oak Ridge office became the center of the wartime atomic energy’s activities.”
Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space (NETS-2023) Plenary SPeaker
Formerly Nuclear R&D and Management
Idaho National Laboratory
Argonne National Laboratory
Dr. McFarlane worked 44 years in nuclear R&D and management at Idaho National Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory. He currently serves as President of the Idaho Falls Country Club.
Dr. McFarlane’s experience includes experimental fast reactor physics, nuclear fuel cycle, space power systems, and international nuclear relations. He directed a variety of research programs as well as the operation of major nuclear facilities. He spent a sabbatical year as the senior technical advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy. He is a former President of the American Nuclear Society and a past Chairman of the International Nuclear Energy Academy. Dr. McFarlane began his interest in nuclear energy history in 1992 with the publication of Controlled Nuclear Chain Reaction—the First 50 Years. Subsequently he has written and lectured on nuclear topics including Idaho’s contribution to nuclear energy development, most recently for the 2020 edition of the Nuclear Energy Encyclopedia.
Dr. McFarlane’s four-corner education includes a PhD in engineering science from the California Institute of Technology, a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Texas, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago, and a year on the faculty of New York University.
Last modified December 2, 2022, 7:34am MST
