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Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
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.
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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Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Fermilab center renamed after late particle physicist Helen Edwards
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory’s Integrated Engineering Research Center, which officially opened in January 2024, is now known as the Helen Edwards Engineering Center. The name was changed to honor the late particle physicist who led the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of the lab’s Tevatron accelerator and was part of the Water Resources Development Act signed by President Biden in December 2024, according to a Fermilab press release.
B. Smith, P. Wilson, M. Sawan, T. Bohm
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 56 | Number 1 | July 2009 | Pages 57-62
ITER | Eighteenth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (Part 1) | doi.org/10.13182/FST09-A8876
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Radiation shielding, thermal protection, and energy removal for ITER are provided by an array of firstwall/shield modules (FWS). Nuclear analysis of the shield modules is important for understanding their performance and lifetime in the system. Using Direct Accelerated Geometry (DAG)-MCNPX, a coupling of traditional MCNPX with the Common Geometry Module (CGM) and the Mesh Oriented dAtaBase (MOAB) developed at UW, high-fidelity 3-D neutronics analysis is now possible. Particles are transported in the CAD geometry reducing analysis time, eliminating input error, and preserving geometric detail. The surface source read-write capability that exists in MCNPX has been used in DAG-MCNPX to combine realistic source conditions with an efficient analysis model. A surface source was written using a 3-D model of ITER with a detailed plasma source. The surface source was then used in a detailed 3-D CAD model of Module 13.3-D high fidelity mesh tallies were used to calculate nuclear heating used in thermal-hydraulics analysis. Surface source results were compared against results using a hybrid 1-D/3-D approach in which a uniform neutron source is extended infinitely in the vertical direction. Results show that the hybrid source overestimated the total number and under estimated the average energy of particles incident on the FW. The hybrid approach was found to overestimate the nuclear heating at the front of the first wall by as much as 63%.