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Reactor Physics
The division's objectives are to promote the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the fundamental physical phenomena characterizing nuclear reactors and other nuclear systems. The division encourages research and disseminates information through meetings and publications. Areas of technical interest include nuclear data, particle interactions and transport, reactor and nuclear systems analysis, methods, design, validation and operating experience and standards. The Wigner Award heads the awards program.
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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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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.
L. R. Fawcett, Jr., A. Keith Furr, J. G. Lindsay
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 49 | Number 3 | November 1972 | Pages 317-329
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE72-A22545
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Neutron capture cross sections for 154Sm, 160Gd, 164Dy, and 165Ho (ground state) have been investigated in the energy range from 5 to 160 keV. Capture cross section data in this energy region that are currently available for 165 Ho varies by approximately a factor of two between different workers and for 154Sm, 160Gd, and 164Dy little or no previously published data are available in this energy range. The present work represents an attempt to remove some of the uncertainty in the case of 165 Ho and to provide original data for the other three isotopes over the 5 to 160 keV region. This work was done by activation of metal samples of the above mentioned rare earths and counting the decay products with a well type plastic scintillator. Samples were activated by neutrons generated by the 7Li(p,n)7 Be reaction with the samples being placed at 90 deg with respect to the neutron target. The 0.820 b capture cross section of 127I at 25 keV was used as the standard for normalization along with the thermal neutron capture cross sections of the isotopes. From the experimental cross section curves the γ-ray strength functions, the s-wave neutron strength functions, and the p-wave neutron strength functions were determined. These parameters are the first to be determined for samarium and dysprosium over an energy region this broad while for gadolinium, only one other comparable set exists.
