ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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
Jul 2025
Jan 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
August 2025
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
ANS joins others in seeking to discuss SNF/HLW impasse
The American Nuclear Society joined seven other organizations to send a letter to Energy Secretary Christopher Wright on July 8, asking to meet with him to discuss “the restoration of a highly functioning program to meet DOE’s legal responsibility to manage and dispose of the nation’s commercial and legacy defense spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level radioactive waste (HLW).”
W. R. Martini, P. Riggle, L. T. Harmison
Nuclear Technology | Volume 13 | Number 2 | February 1972 | Pages 194-208
Technical Paper | Radioisotope | doi.org/10.13182/NT72-A31054
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Steady improvements have been made through five systems for operating an artificial heart with a Stirling engine that will be heated by a radioisotope or by an electric heater which receives power from a transcutaneous transformer. A thermal storage reservoir assists in supplying peak power demands. The engine regenerator, a primary component, was substantially improved by changing from a porous to a hollow regenerator. Engine efficiency was doubled. The current engine, using a hot flexural support at the engine, a bellows-sealed lower support, a drive piston, and a flywheel for continuity of regenerator motion, has been quite successful. Potential reductions in size and isotope requirement are discussed. The computed dose rate for the system is also given. Development is continuing toward a reliable realistically sized artificial heart with reasonable power demands.