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
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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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?
G. W. Weber, R. L. Beatty, V. J. Tennery
Nuclear Technology | Volume 35 | Number 2 | September 1977 | Pages 217-226
Fabrication | Coated Particle Fuel / Fuel | doi.org/10.13182/NT77-A31881
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The current recycle fissile fuel for steam cycle high-temperature gas-cooled reactors in the U.S. is derived from weak acid ion-exchange resin microspheres loaded with uranyl ions. This material offers great versatility in the control of chemical and physical properties through careful process control. Processing the upgraded loaded resin begins with thermal decomposition or carbonization, which yields finely dispersed UO2 in a porous carbon matrix. This step requires a controlled heating rate from 350 to 450O°C (623 to 723 K), and is complete by ∼900°C (1173 K). If carbide or mixed-oxide/carbide fuel is desired, carbothermic reduction, or conversion, is done at 1500 to 1750°C (1773 to 2023 K). This step reduces the UO2 to UC2 to optimize irradiation performance. Physical properties after carbonization correlate with the observed thermogravimetric behavior. The mercury density, volume decrease, weight loss, bulk density, carbon content, and particle size depend strongly on the particular heating rate employed through the 350 to 450°C (623 to 723 K) region. The conversion process generally follows the anticipated thermodynamic behavior for removal of carbon monoxide based on its partial pressure. The particular phases present after conversion can be manipulated by controlling the conversion temperature or by additions of hydrogen or carbon monoxide to the fluidizing gas.
