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Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Nuclear Installations Safety
Devoted specifically to the safety of nuclear installations and the health and safety of the public, this division seeks a better understanding of the role of safety in the design, construction and operation of nuclear installation facilities. The division also promotes engineering and scientific technology advancement associated with the safety of such facilities.
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
Fusion Science and Technology
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?
J. E. Brunings, D. G. Mason, W. B. Thomson, J. H. Van Osdol
Nuclear Technology | Volume 22 | Number 2 | May 1974 | Pages 237-251
Technical Paper | Ocean—Nuclear Energy | doi.org/10.13182/NT74-A31406
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The SNAP zirconium hydride reactor developed by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission for space applications can also be used for the generation of power in marine applications. This reactor can be coupled with thermoelectric, organic Rankine, Brayton, and supercritical CO2 power conversion systems to yield compact, long-life power systems in the power range from several kW(e) to over 150 kW(e). The thermoelectric power conversion system, although exhibiting cycle efficiencies in the 7 to 10% range, has proven long-life capability. The Brayton and the supercritical CO2 systems yield the smallest power systems, while the Brayton system yields the lightest system. The low operating temperatures and the relatively high efficiency of the organic Rankine system imply that this system exhibits the lowest unit cost.
