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Division Spotlight
Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy
The mission of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy Division (NNPD) is to promote the peaceful use of nuclear technology while simultaneously preventing the diversion and misuse of nuclear material and technology through appropriate safeguards and security, and promotion of nuclear nonproliferation policies. To achieve this mission, the objectives of the NNPD are to: Promote policy that discourages the proliferation of nuclear technology and material to inappropriate entities. Provide information to ANS members, the technical community at large, opinion leaders, and decision makers to improve their understanding of nuclear nonproliferation issues. Become a recognized technical resource on nuclear nonproliferation, safeguards, and security issues. Serve as the integration and coordination body for nuclear nonproliferation activities for the ANS. Work cooperatively with other ANS divisions to achieve these objective nonproliferation policies.
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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January 2025
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Christmas Night
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the houseNo electrons were flowing through even my mouse.
All devices were plugged in by the chimney with careWith the hope that St. Nikola Tesla would share.
David Pickett, Yiming Pan (CNWRA), John Wise, Ricardo Torres, Darrell Dunn (NRC)
Proceedings | 16th International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference (IHLRWM 2017) | Charlotte, NC, April 9-13, 2017 | Pages 410-413
To renew a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) specific license for an independent spent fuel storage installation or a certificate of compliance for a dry storage system, the applicant must conduct an aging management review (AMR) that evaluates the potential aging-related degradation of those structures, systems, and components (SSCs) determined to be within the scope of renewal. Any credible aging mechanisms and effects identified for important-to-safety SSCs must be addressed in either time-limited aging analyses (TLAAs), if applicable, or aging management programs (AMPs). To improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the renewal process, the NRC is developing guidance for its staff in reviewing AMRs and AMPs—titled the Managing Aging Processes in Storage (MAPS) Report. The report generically evaluates potential aging mechanisms for storage system components, concluding whether or not the mechanisms could affect an important-to-safety function. Aging mechanisms are evaluated for (i) casks and internal components; (ii) neutron shielding; (iii) neutron poisons; (iv) concrete overpacks and support pads, and ceramic fiber insulation; and (v) spent fuel assemblies. The report provides aging management tables that identify the component-specific aging mechanisms and consequent effects that must be managed. Finally, the report describes example AMPs that include recommended prevention, mitigation, monitoring, and inspection activities.