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Young Members Group
The Young Members Group works to encourage and enable all young professional members to be actively involved in the efforts and endeavors of the Society at all levels (Professional Divisions, ANS Governance, Local Sections, etc.) as they transition from the role of a student to the role of a professional. It sponsors non-technical workshops and meetings that provide professional development and networking opportunities for young professionals, collaborates with other Divisions and Groups in developing technical and non-technical content for topical and national meetings, encourages its members to participate in the activities of the Groups and Divisions that are closely related to their professional interests as well as in their local sections, introduces young members to the rules and governance structure of the Society, and nominates young professionals for awards and leadership opportunities available to members.
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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Latest News
Argonne research aims to improve nuclear fuel recycling and metal recovery
Servis
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory are investigating a used nuclear fuel recycling technology that could lead to a scaled-down and more efficient approach to metal recovery, according to a recent news article from the lab. The research, led by Argonne radiochemist Anna Servis with funding from the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E), could have an impact beyond the nuclear fuel cycle and improve other high-value metal processing, such as rare earth recovery, according to Argonne.
The research: Servis’s work is being carried out under ARPA-E’s CURIE (Converting UNF Radioisotopes Into Energy) program. The specific project—Radioisotope Capture Intensification Using Rotating Packed Bed Contactors—started in 2023 and is scheduled to end in January 2026.
L. C. Carlson, E. L. Alfonso, H. Huang, A. Nikroo, M. E. Schoff, M. N. Emerich, T. Bunn, N. A. Antipa, J. B. Horner
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 67 | Number 4 | May 2015 | Pages 762-770
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST14-833
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Capsules for inertial confinement fusion require precise measurement of isolated features and domes on the capsule's outer surface. Features that are too large must be removed. A 4pi capsule mapping and characterization system has been developed to map, identify, and measure domes using a Leica confocal microscope. An ultraviolet wavelength laser was integrated to laser-ablate the offending domes that exceed the allowable mix mass. Current process methods to remove domes require three different stations in different locations. The 4pi system achieves automated capsule handling, metrology, and laser polishing/ablation of domes on one device without losing track of the capsule's orientation. The measurement technique and metrology accuracy are compared to patch atomic force microscopy scans and phase-shifting diffraction interferometer measurements with good correlation. The laser polishing method has demonstrated analogous results to the current process methods, but in an automated fashion. Additionally, the 4pi capsule-handling capability of the system has been used to laser-ablate purposeful engineered designs into specialty capsules.