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Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Nuclear Criticality Safety
NCSD provides communication among nuclear criticality safety professionals through the development of standards, the evolution of training methods and materials, the presentation of technical data and procedures, and the creation of specialty publications. In these ways, the division furthers the exchange of technical information on nuclear criticality safety with the ultimate goal of promoting the safe handling of fissionable materials outside reactors.
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
Dec 2024
Jul 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
January 2025
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Christmas Night
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the houseNo electrons were flowing through even my mouse.
All devices were plugged in by the chimney with careWith the hope that St. Nikola Tesla would share.
Matthew Talbot, Dan McCorquodale, Ian Broglie
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 197 | Number 1 | June 2023 | Pages S13-S23
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2022.2120315
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The use of advanced security technologies, such as modeling and simulation in support of vulnerability assessment, has continued to find acceptance in both the operator and the regulatory realms. A critical component to gaining acceptance for modeling and simulation is employing a proven analysis process using best practices and proven tools. These processes and tools allow security managers to be responsive to changing threats and management/financial constraints by quantifying a site’s level of security under different attack scenarios and defensive configurations. Based on best practices and performance data from government agencies, modeling and simulation experts have proposed a process to compute security system effectiveness for commercial nuclear sites. This process will allow decision makers to use a risk-informed approach to quantify security risk at their sites. This also includes a formal accreditation and review process that will provide decision makers and regulators confidence into the development of the defense strategy. Providing a consistent means to assess security, using government-provided or other agreed-upon performance data, will allow sites to compare new and more cost-effective strategies directly with existing/approved strategies to perform a cost-benefit analysis and return on investment estimate.