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Division Spotlight
Nuclear Criticality Safety
NCSD provides communication among nuclear criticality safety professionals through the development of standards, the evolution of training methods and materials, the presentation of technical data and procedures, and the creation of specialty publications. In these ways, the division furthers the exchange of technical information on nuclear criticality safety with the ultimate goal of promoting the safe handling of fissionable materials outside reactors.
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Apr 2025
Jan 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
May 2025
Nuclear Technology
April 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
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.”
26th Technology of Fusion Energy Meeting (TOFE 2024)
Current position
Head of the Fusion Technology Department and of the DEMO Central Team in the EUROfusion Consortium (on assignment from Fusion for Energy). Responsible for the coordination and technical oversight of the Design and R&D efforts in Europe aimed to the conceptual design of a DEMOnstration Fusion Power Plant (DEMO).
Professional experience:
More than 30 years of professional experience in fusion reactor design and fusion enabling technology developments. Areas of expertise include tokamak design and integration, plasma-facing component, plasma-material-interactions, breeding blanket design, magnets etc. Strong record of management and technical oversight responsibilities in various complex, cross-functional projects and technology development environments. NET Team (1990-1992); ITER Team (1993-2006); EFDA (2006-2007); F4E (2008-2010); EFDA (2011-2013), EUROfusion (2014-today).
Education:
Ph.D. in Nuclear Enginering 1989, University of California, Los Angeles (USA); MS in Nucl. Eng., 1988, University of California, Los Angeles (USA); Degree in Nucl. Eng., 1985, Polytechnic of Milan, (Italy).
Professional Distinctions:
Fusion Power Associates (FPA) Leadership Award (2019); Fellow of the American Nuclear Society (2008); Outstanding Technical Accomplishment Award - ANS Fusion Energy Division (2002); David J. Rose Award for Excellence in Fusion Engineering - FPA (2000).
Publications:
More than 200 publications in peer-refereed scientific journals of which more than 40 as a main author. Editorial Advisory Boards of the journals: Nuclear Fusion, Fusion Engineering and Design.
Last modified May 17, 2024, 10:14am CDT