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Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
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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Nuclear Science and Engineering
February 2025
Nuclear Technology
January 2025
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Latest News
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?
T. J. Pashos, H. E. Williamson, R. N. Duncan
Nuclear Technology | Volume 2 | Number 6 | December 1966 | Pages 510-514
Technical Paper and Note | doi.org/10.13182/NT66-A27547
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Since the initiation of fuel irradiations in the Vallecitos Boiling Water Reactor in 1957, rod-type fuel elements have been irradiated in an increasing number of boiling-water reactors. The most extensive experience has been obtained with Zirealoy-2 clad, UO2 pellet-type fuel rods. Somewhat less experience has been obtained with other fuel forms such as ThO2 -UO2 pellets and UO2 compacted powder and with other clad materials such as Zircaloy-4, Type 304 stainless steel, Incoloy-800, and Inconel-600. Based on the highly successful performance of many thousands of fuel segments operating at typical commercial power-reactor thermal ratings, UO2 rods clad with Zircaloy-2 have proven to be the most reliable and economical fuel elements for boiling-water reactor applications.
