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.
Division Spotlight
Human Factors, Instrumentation & Controls
Improving task performance, system reliability, system and personnel safety, efficiency, and effectiveness are the division's main objectives. Its major areas of interest include task design, procedures, training, instrument and control layout and placement, stress control, anthropometrics, psychological input, and motivation.
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?
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.
