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.
William D. Burch, Lawrence B. Shappert
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 15 | Number 2 | February 1963 | Pages 124-130
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE63-A26410
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The behavior of iodine and xenon was studied during the experimental program of the Homogeneous Reactor Test to evaluate the various methods proposed for removal of these fission products to reduce the biological hazard of iodine and minimize xenon poisoning. The observed retention of both iodine and xenon in the reactor high-pressure system considerably altered design removal concepts. Only 10-25% of the iodine in the high-pressure system circulated with the fuel solution, and xenon, formed by decay of iodine adsorbed on the walls, was retained on the walls up to 10 hr before diffusing back into the circulating stream. The xenon poison fraction was found to be 0.010 at full power of 5 Mw.