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
Thermal Hydraulics
The division provides a forum for focused technical dialogue on thermal hydraulic technology in the nuclear industry. Specifically, this will include heat transfer and fluid mechanics involved in the utilization of nuclear energy. It is intended to attract the highest quality of theoretical and experimental work to ANS, including research on basic phenomena and application to nuclear system design.
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!
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
January 2025
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Christmas Night
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the houseNo electrons were flowing through even my mouse.
All devices were plugged in by the chimney with careWith the hope that St. Nikola Tesla would share.
Geoffrey W. Shuy, Ali E. Dabiri, Husam Gurol
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 9 | Number 3 | May 1986 | Pages 459-475
Technical Paper | Fusion Reactors | doi.org/10.13182/FST86-A24732
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A system of neutron-lean tandem mirror satellite reactors using the deuterium-3He (D-3He) fuel cycle has been assessed. The 3He fuel is produced via a breeder reactor, also based on the tandem mirror reactor (TMR) concept. The TMR concept was selected because, for the satellite reactors, the fusion energy is mostly in charged-particle form, so efficient, direct energy conversion can be used. For the breeder, the TMR gives a higher maximum achievable support ratio than other concepts give. The optimum satellite operating temperature was found to be ∼75 keV. The safety and cost of the satellite/breeder system were assessed. The D-3He fuel cycle becomes particularly attractive if the deuterium-deuterium (D-D) reaction can be suppressed by nuclear spin polarization. For perfect D-D reaction suppression, this would allow immediate hands-on maintainability of reactor components and allow for reduction in the magnet dimensions, since the shield would no longer be required. For no D-D reaction suppression, ∼3% of the fusion power will be in neutrons. This will then require the use of ∼40-cm shielding, along with activation concerns. Hands-on maintenance f or the satellite reactor is possible even without D-D reaction suppression, if low-activation materials are used. The radioactivity level of the 3He breeder is comparable to that of a deuterium-tritium reactor. The cost of electricity for the system, including the fuel costs, is estimated f or this system.