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Division Spotlight
Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy
The mission of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy Division (NNPD) is to promote the peaceful use of nuclear technology while simultaneously preventing the diversion and misuse of nuclear material and technology through appropriate safeguards and security, and promotion of nuclear nonproliferation policies. To achieve this mission, the objectives of the NNPD are to: Promote policy that discourages the proliferation of nuclear technology and material to inappropriate entities. Provide information to ANS members, the technical community at large, opinion leaders, and decision makers to improve their understanding of nuclear nonproliferation issues. Become a recognized technical resource on nuclear nonproliferation, safeguards, and security issues. Serve as the integration and coordination body for nuclear nonproliferation activities for the ANS. Work cooperatively with other ANS divisions to achieve these objective nonproliferation policies.
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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Latest News
Article considers incorporation of AI into nuclear power plant operations
The potential application of artificial intelligence to the operation of nuclear power plants is explored in an article published in late December in the Washington Examiner. The article, written by energy and environment reporter Callie Patteson, presents the views of a number of experts, including Yavuz Arik, a strategic energy consultant.
R. L. Klueh
Nuclear Technology | Volume 102 | Number 3 | June 1993 | Pages 376-385
Technical Paper | Material | doi.org/10.13182/NT93-A17036
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Chromium-molybdenum martensitic (ferritic) steels such as 9 Cr-1 Mo-V-Nb and 12 Cr-1 Mo-V-W are candidates for fast reactor and fusion reactor applications. In a fast reactor, the effect of neutron irradiation is caused by displacement damage, that is, by the interstitials and vacancies that are created by the high-energy neutrons. Increases in strength occur for irradiation up to ∼450°C. This hardening is largely attributed to the dislocation loops that form from the agglomeration of the interstitials. Precipitates that form during irradiation can also contribute to the hardening. At higher temperatures, most of the displacement damage anneals out. Irradiation effects expected in the first wall of a fusion reactor differ from those in a fast reactor. In addition to displacement damage, large amounts of transmutation helium will also be produced. The simultaneous effects of displacement damage and helium can be simulated by irradiating nickel-doped ferritic steels in a mixed-spectrum fission reactor. Helium is produced by transmutation reactions between thermal neutrons and nickel, and displacement damage is formed by the fast neutrons of the spectrum. Results using this technique indicate that hardening occurs as in a fast reactor, but the helium causes a strength increase in addition to that caused by displacement damage alone. This effect of helium could have a significant effect on other properties, especially toughness, and must be considered in the design of fusion reactors.