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.
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Jan 2025
Jul 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
February 2025
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
How to talk about nuclear
In your career as a professional in the nuclear community, chances are you will, at some point, be asked (or volunteer) to talk to at least one layperson about the technology you know and love. You might even be asked to present to a whole group of nonnuclear folks, perhaps as a pitch to some company tangential to your company’s business. So, without further ado, let me give you some pointers on the best way to approach this important and surprisingly complicated task.
W. A. Coleman
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 46 | Number 1 | October 1971 | Pages 12-21
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE71-A22331
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Monte Carlo calculations for monoenergetic x rays (70 to 200 keV) normally incident on soil have been performed to determine changes in the reflected radiation due to material perturbations at depths of 1 and 1.6 mean-free-paths. The accuracy of the calculations was achieved using a scheme of correlated sampling in which a “complete correlation” is maintained in the sense that identical sampled event sequences are used for the perturbed and unperturbed problem. A somewhat general discussion of correlated sampling is included with emphasis on the mathematical reasons for employing the method. It is shown for a special case that a naive use of correlated sampling may lead to results drastically inferior to those obtained by independent sampling. The Monte Carlo calculations are compared with two-dimensional discrete ordinates results and agreement is very good. Output quantities are reported in terms of energy-dependent fluence and current. The calculated results demonstrate the feasibility of the approach to albedo sensitivity problems in general.
