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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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March 2025
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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.
2022 ANS Winter Meeting and Technology Expo Speaker
Luc Van Den Durpel graduated in 1989 as civil engineer and nuclear engineer from the University of Ghent (Belgium) where he also obtained his PhD on nuclear energy systems analysis. He initially conducted research at the Nuclear Research Center in Belgium as nuclear engineer, operations manager for research reactors and program manager for advanced nuclear energy systems.
He joined the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency in Paris (France) in 1998 to conduct international studies on advanced nuclear energy systems and specifically advanced nuclear fuel cycle R&D and waste management.
Early 2002, he joined US-DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory (ANL, US) in the context of Generation-IV and specifically nuclear energy system scenarios.
Since March 2009, he became Scientific Director and International Expert at AREVA NC’s Corporate Research and Innovation Directorate and since October 2011, he became Vice-President Strategic Analysis and Technology Prospective at AREVA’s Corporate R&D.
After leaving AREVA in March 2015, he launched the expert cabinet Nuclear-21 supporting governments, utilities, industry, regulators, waste agencies and R&D-laboratories in nuclear science and technology decisioneering. His personal interests are focused on the technical and financial challenges in transitioning towards sustainable energy systems including, especially in the nuclear field, the positioning of nuclear energy, international development and the internationalisation of the nuclear fuel cycle.
He is member of the Scientific Council of the Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et Energie Alternatives (CEA, France) and Board member of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) next to executive committee member in various organisations and learning societies.
Last modified October 21, 2022, 8:13am MST
