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Division Spotlight
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.
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!
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Reboot: Nuclear needs a success . . . anywhere
The media have gleefully resurrected the language of a past nuclear renaissance. Beyond the hype and PR, many people in the nuclear community are taking a more measured view of conditions that could lead to new construction: data center demand, the proliferation of new reactor designs and start-ups, and the sudden ascendance of nuclear energy as the power source everyone wants—or wants to talk about.
Once built, large nuclear reactors can provide clean power for at least 80 years—outlasting 10 to 20 presidential administrations. Smaller reactors can provide heat and power outputs tailored to an end user’s needs. With all the new attention, are we any closer to getting past persistent supply chain and workforce issues and building these new plants? And what will the election of Donald Trump to a second term as president mean for nuclear?
As usual, there are more questions than answers, and most come down to money. Several developers are engaging with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or have already applied for a license, certification, or permit. But designs without paying customers won’t get built. So where are the customers, and what will it take for them to commit?
J. C. Carter, H. Greenspan
Nuclear Technology | Volume 12 | Number 1 | September 1971 | Pages 36-45
Technical Paper | Fuel | doi.org/10.13182/NT71-A15896
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
This paper investigates the feasibility of testing fast-reactor fuel elements in the core of a thermal reactor. A fast-reactor environment is approximated by placing an assembly of fast-reactor fuel elements surrounded by a neutron filter in the core of a large thermal reactor. The scope of tests which can be performed in currently available thermal reactors is explored, and the effects of such parameters as the number of elements in a test assembly, the enrichment of each element, and the characteristics of neutron filters are investigated. The scoping calculations are based on a heterogeneous arrangement of fuel elements of a type currently being considered for use in large fast reactors. Hypothetical accidents resulting from the disintegration of the filter and/or loss of the sodium coolant are analyzed for the purpose of determining the period of time from the initiation of the accident to the loss of structural integrity of the fuel elements. Useful information pertaining to the operating characteristics and safety aspects of various fast-reactor fuel elements can be obtained from this method of testing
