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Division Spotlight
Reactor Physics
The division's objectives are to promote the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the fundamental physical phenomena characterizing nuclear reactors and other nuclear systems. The division encourages research and disseminates information through meetings and publications. Areas of technical interest include nuclear data, particle interactions and transport, reactor and nuclear systems analysis, methods, design, validation and operating experience and standards. The Wigner Award heads the awards program.
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
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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.
Thursday, November 16, 2023|8:00AM–2:00PM EST
Cost: $25 Bus leaves from T Street exit, accessible from the Terrace Level.
8:00 AM
Depart Washington Hilton
9:00 AM
Arrive WSC Headquarters in Frederick
Welcome, Sign-In, Facility Brief, Coffee/Juice & Pastries
9:15 AM
WSC Company Presentation and Current Projects Overview
9:45 AM
Introduction to 3KEYMASTER Simulation Software and Modeling Tools
10:45 AM
Facility Tour with Simulator Demonstrations of:
12:00 PM
Lunch / Question and Answer Session
1:00 PM
Depart WSC for Washington Hilton
2:00 PM
Arrive Washington Hilton
Transportation and Lunch will be provided by WSC
Limited to first 50 guests
WSC, Inc.- 7196 Crestwood Blvd, Suite 300 Frederick, MD 21703
WSC Overview
Founded in 1995, WSC is a privately held global simulation and services company headquartered in Frederick, Maryland that has successfully delivered over 250 simulators. WSC's continuing vision is to provide our customers with innovative, state-of-the-art, simulation technology products and services that add value in the design, commissioning, and safe & reliable operation of their power generating, test facility or process plant assets.
WSC and its 3KEYMASTER simulation software and applications have evolved with the growing needs of the power plant industry for use beyond operator training. WSC has incorporated specific capabilities within our simulation platform to provide the Simulation Assisted Engineering SAE tools needed to assist engineering groups tasked with design and verification of new plant designs and for control systems for new or existing power plants. 3KEYMASTER is the platform of choice for several ongoing Small and Micro Modular Reactor (SMR and MMR) SAE projects, such as GE-Hitachi’s BWRX-300 design, TerraPower’s Natrium Reactor & Integrated Energy Storage System design, Holtec’s SMR-160 design and others.
