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Division Spotlight
Fusion Energy
This division promotes the development and timely introduction of fusion energy as a sustainable energy source with favorable economic, environmental, and safety attributes. The division cooperates with other organizations on common issues of multidisciplinary fusion science and technology, conducts professional meetings, and disseminates technical information in support of these goals. Members focus on the assessment and resolution of critical developmental issues for practical fusion energy applications.
Meeting Spotlight
2024 ANS Winter Conference and Expo
November 17–21, 2024
Orlando, FL|Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
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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August 2024
Latest News
New laws offer nuclear industry incentives for existing power plant uprates
This year, the U.S. nuclear industry received a much-needed economic boost that could help preserve operating nuclear power plants and incentivize upgrades that extend their lifespan and power output.
Signed into law in 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act offers production tax credits (PTCs) for existing nuclear power plants and either PTCs or investment tax credits (ITCs) for new carbon-free generation. These credits could make power uprates—increasing the maximum power level at which a commercial plant may operate—a much more appealing option for utilities.
S. T. Perkins
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 69 | Number 2 | February 1979 | Pages 147-155
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE79-A20606
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The neutron and fusion rate enhancement from in-flight reactions created by knock-ons from fission fragment slowing down in a compressed eqi-molar DT-plutonium plasma has been calculated. The neutron enhancement is worth up to a factor-of-2 reduction in critical mass. However, the neutron e-folding time is on the order of the system disassembly time, thereby restricting the multiplication of the neutron population to a factor of 2 or 3. It therefore appears more appropriate to discuss fission in a thermonuclear plasma in terms of a fusion chain reaction (fission fragment amplification of the fusion rate) rather than a fission chain reaction (neutron enhancement and criticality).
