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Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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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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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.
W. M. Lopez, J. R. Beyster
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 12 | Number 2 | February 1962 | Pages 190-202
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE62-A26058
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Neutron diffusion parameters in water have been measured at 26.7°C with the pulsed neutron technique. The results are 210 ± 1 µsec for the neutron mean lifetime, 37,503 ± 366 cm2 sec−1 for the average diffusion coefficient, and 5116 ± 776 cm4 sec−1 for the diffusion cooling constant. From these values the thermal absorption cross section of hydrogen and the thermal diffusion length in water can be inferred to be 325 ± 2 mb and 2.83 ± 0.02 cm, respectively. With a pulsed high-intensity neutron source provided by an electron linear accelerator, neutron lifetime measurements were performed on small and large water samples with values of the geometrical buckling from 0.014 cm−2 to 0.59 cm−2. Effects of harmonic modes in the large water geometries, which were determined by measurements of the time-dependent spatial flux distributions resulting from an external pulsed source of fast neutrons, were found to be adequately predictable with simple diffusion theory.