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
Nuclear Criticality Safety
NCSD provides communication among nuclear criticality safety professionals through the development of standards, the evolution of training methods and materials, the presentation of technical data and procedures, and the creation of specialty publications. In these ways, the division furthers the exchange of technical information on nuclear criticality safety with the ultimate goal of promoting the safe handling of fissionable materials outside reactors.
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Jan 2025
Jul 2024
Latest Journal Issues
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?
Joonhong Ahn, Atsuyuki Suzuki, Ryohei Kiyose
Nuclear Technology | Volume 64 | Number 2 | February 1984 | Pages 154-165
Technical Paper | Radioactive Waste Management | doi.org/10.13182/NT84-A33338
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A computational analysis of nuclide migration through fissured geological formations was performed. The migration behavior can be described by convective transport in the fissures, diffusive transport with radioactive decay chain in the bulk rock, and sorption on the fissure wall. The mathematical model employed is based on the finite element method (FEM) solution of transport equations, taking into account the interfissure two-dimensional diffusion. The decay chain, 234U → 230Th → 226Ra, was examined to illustrate the migration behavior. The FEM solution was in good agreement with the analytical solution using simpler assumptions. Numerically investigated were the effects of (a) the decay chain in pores, (b) two-dimensional diffusion in pores, (c) the axial dispersion in fissures, (d) the interaction between fissures, and (e) the fissure wall sorption. As a result, it can be said that the effect of the decay chain in pores is especially important in order not to have overestimates in terms of safety and that the fissure wall sorption is an important factor for realistic estimates because it has a remarkable effect on the extent of nuclide confinement within the geological media.
