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
Accelerator Applications
The division was organized to promote the advancement of knowledge of the use of particle accelerator technologies for nuclear and other applications. It focuses on production of neutrons and other particles, utilization of these particles for scientific or industrial purposes, such as the production or destruction of radionuclides significant to energy, medicine, defense or other endeavors, as well as imaging and diagnostics.
Meeting Spotlight
Conference on Nuclear Training and Education: A Biennial International Forum (CONTE 2025)
February 3–6, 2025
Amelia Island, FL|Omni Amelia Island Resort
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
Jan 2025
Jul 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
February 2025
Nuclear Technology
January 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Is waste really waste?
Tim Tinsley
I’ve been reflecting on the recent American Nuclear Society Winter Conference and Expo, where I enjoyed the discussion on recycling used nuclear fuel to recover valuable minerals or products for future applications. I have spent more than 30 years focusing on dissolving and separating nuclear material, so it was refreshing to hear the case for new applications being made. However, I feel that these discussions could go further still.
Radiation is energy, something that our society seems to have an endless need for. A nuclear power station produces a lot of radiation that is mostly discarded. But once fuel has been used, it still produces significant levels of radiation and heat energy. The associated storage, processing, and eventual disposal of this used fuel requires careful management and investment to protect systems and people from the radiation. Should we really disregard—and discard—this energy source, along with all the valuable minerals in the used fuel, when we could instead use it to deliver significant value to society?
Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space (NETS-2024) Plenary SPeaker
Richard Griffith serves as the Energy & Homeland Security Portfolio Sr. Campaign Manager for the Resilient Energy Systems Mission Campaign which is a portfolio of Lab Directed Research and Development focused on fundamental research aimed at improving the Nation’s energy and related infrastructure resilience to intentional and man-made threats.
Richard also serves as Program Manager for Nuclear Energy Safety and Security and the Senior Manager of the Nuclear Energy Safety Technology organization, which enhances energy security and nuclear fuel cycle viability by leading cutting-edge research and development in energy conversation, safety, security, and safeguards.
Richard began his Sandia career in 1990 as a developer for the CONTAIN reactor safety analysis code. In 1998, Richard joined Sandia’s management team in the Engineering Sciences Center. He managed several technical departments, including Plasma and Aerosol Sciences, Microscale and Non-Continuum Sciences, Thermal Sciences, and Vulnerability Technologies. Richard also served as Deputy for the Chem/Bio National Security Program and as Deputy for Safety and Security in Nuclear Weapons Engineering Campaign 6, where he created and funded technology projects to develop nuclear weapon qualification capabilities.
In 2010, Richard became the Senior Manager of the Complex Systems for National Security organization. While serving in this role, Richard accepted additional responsibilities as Laboratory Lead for the Resilience in Complex Systems Research Challenge; Program Manager for the Disaster Management and Resilience Program in the International, Homeland, and Nuclear Security (IHNS) Program Management Unit; and IHNS Laboratory Directed Research and Development Investment Area Lead.
Richard has a master’s degree and PhD in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University. He also received a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Arizona State University. Since 2017, Richard has served as an external advisory board member for Texas A&M University’s Department of Nuclear Energy and for University of New Mexico’s Department of Nuclear Energy.
Last modified February 20, 2024, 7:46am MST
