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.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Dec 2025
Jul 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
January 2026
Nuclear Technology
December 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
November 2025
Latest News
Seconds Matter: Rethinking Nuclear Facility Security for the Modern Threat Landscape
In today’s rapidly evolving threat environment, nuclear facilities must prioritize speed and precision in their security responses—because in critical moments, every second counts. An early warning system serves as a vital layer of defense, enabling real-time detection of potential intrusions or anomalies before they escalate into full-blown incidents. By providing immediate alerts and actionable intelligence, these systems empower security personnel to respond decisively, minimizing risk to infrastructure, personnel, and the public. The ability to anticipate and intercept threats at the earliest possible stage not only enhances operational resilience but also reinforces public trust in the safety of nuclear operations. Investing in such proactive technologies is no longer optional—it’s essential for modern nuclear security.
Donna Wuschke and M. Tomlinson
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 31 | Number 3 | March 1968 | Pages 521-530
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE68-A17596
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The radiation decomposition of meta-terphenyl by 1.35-MeV electrons has been measured for temperatures from 200 to 440°C, beam currents from 3 to 100μA and average dose rates from 0.25 to 15 W/g. G(-terphenyl) was 0.25 at 300°C. Decomposition increased above 350°C and depended on the local radiation intensity rather than the average dose rate. At 440°C, G(-terphenyl) increased from 0.62 at 100-μA beam current to 1.6 at 3 μA. Decomposition increased with pulse frequency for intermittent irradiation. Postirradiation thermal decomposition was measured. Thermally initiated reactions did not contribute appreciably to decomposition during irradiation. The results indicate that above ≈ 350°C the radiolytic decomposition mechanism differs from that at lower temperatures. The data provide information about the contributions of radiolytic and pyrolytic decomposition in high-temperature organic-cooled nuclear reactor systems.
