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Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
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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February 2025
Nuclear Technology
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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?
Richard A. Wolfe
Nuclear Technology | Volume 9 | Number 2 | August 1970 | Pages 218-228
Reactor Siting | Symposium on Theoretical Models for Predicting In-Reactor Performance of Fuel and Cladding Material | doi.org/10.13182/NT70-A28810
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Calculations show that a 10% isotopic abundance of 238 Pu in a bare spherical 239 Pu-H2O system increases the minimum critical mass by ∼48%, thereafter the increase continues exponentially. These results, in addition to several subcritical neutron multiplication experiments with 238 Pu in both solution and dioxide form, confirm that 238 Pu behaves as a neutron poison in a well-moderated medium. Neutron multiplication experiments were conducted with four SNAP-19B (IRHS) heat sources with ∼1 kg 238 Pu per source. The results indicated that a neutron multiplication <1.2 existed when the heat sources were assembled in different array configurations. The criticality unit value for 238 Pu in either solution or dioxide form has been conservatively established at 2.0 kg. Thermocouples installed on process vessels have proven to be a new criticality control technique for determining gradual 238 Pu sludge buildup. Heterogeneous water-filled storage vaults provide the safest method for storing large quantities of PuO2 containing at least 76% 238Pu.
