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Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
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ANS Student Conference 2025
April 3–5, 2025
Albuquerque, NM|The University of New Mexico
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Latest News
First astatine-labeled compound shipped in the U.S.
The Department of Energy’s National Isotope Development Center (NIDC) on March 31 announced the successful long-distance shipment in the United States of a biologically active compound labeled with the medical radioisotope astatine-211 (At-211). Because previous shipments have included only the “bare” isotope, the NIDC has described the development as “unleashing medical innovation.”
Peter H. Titus, under contract from Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation)
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 39 | Number 2 | March 2001 | Pages 383-388
Advanced Designs | doi.org/10.13182/FST01-A11963264
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The toroidal field coil system of the FIRE tokamak utilizes inertially cooled, copper alloy Bitter plate type magnets which are LN2 cooled between shots. The baseline configuration is wedged. C17510 high strength, high conductivity beryllium copper alloy developed for BPX is proposed for the conductor. These design choices were made after considering a number of alternative structural concepts and a variety of conductor materials. FIRE's high elongation and double null plasma results in high overturning moments. The use of a large compression ring and the large centering forces provides adequate frictional wedging pressures to support the inner leg out-of-plane (OOP) forces. Studies of the pulse length indicate flat top time of 12 sec at peak field and nuclear heat. Non-linear friction simulations have been performed to confirm OOP load support. Structural criteria for the FIRE reactor require demonstration of adequate ductility of the conductor material. Examination of the elastic plastic behavior of the coils for overloaded conditions, 13T, and 14T, has been used to satisfy this criteria, and demonstrate margin. Discussions of primary load paths and evaluation of primary stresses are presented. The contribution of the central tie rod assembly was found to be too small in reducing the inner leg vertical tension stress, and the tie rod has been removed.