American Nuclear Society. The American Nuclear Society (ANS) is an international, not-for-profit organization of scientists, engineers, and industry professionals that promote the field of nuclear engineering and related disciplines.

ANS is composed of three communities: professional divisions, local sections/plant branches, and student sections. Individual members consist of fellows, professional members, and student members. Various organization members are also included in the Society including corporations, governmental agencies, educational institutions, and associations.

As of spring 2024, ANS is composed of more than 10,000 members from more than 40 countries. ANS is also a member of the International Nuclear Societies Council (INSC).

Professional Divisions within the American Nuclear Society focus on specific technical domains, encompassing 18 areas and the Young Members Group. They provide members with specialized engagement opportunities in nuclear science and technology. ANS members can join any number of these divisions. Their activities are coordinated by the Professional Divisions Committee. Topics covered by the divisions range from Accelerator Applications to Fusion Energy and more.

The main objectives of ANS are to provide professional development opportunities for members, engage and inform the public and students about the benefits of nuclear technology, encourage innovation in the nuclear field, and advocate effectively for nuclear technology at both domestic and international levels.

History 
The American Nuclear Society was founded in 1954 as a not-for-profit association to promote the growing nuclear field. Shortly thereafter in 1955, ANS held its first annual meeting and elected Walter Zinn as its first president. Originally headquartered in space provided by the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies (ORINS), the Society's headquarters were moved to various locations over the years until 1977, when the Society settled into its own building in La Grange Park, Illinois. Since 2024, the Society has been headquartered in Westmont, Illinois.

The American Nuclear Society published "Fusion technology : a journal of the American Nuclear Society and the European Nuclear Society" from 1984 to 2001.

Divisions 

 Accelerator Applications
 Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
 Decommissioning & Environmental Sciences
 Education, Training & Workforce Development
 Fuel Cycle & Waste Management
 Fusion Energy
 Human Factors, Instrumentation & Controls
 Isotopes & Radiation
 Materials Science & Technology
 Mathematics & Computation
 Nuclear Criticality Safety
 Nuclear Installations Safety
 Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy
 Operations & Power
 Radiation Protection & Shielding
 Reactor Physics
 Robotics & Remote Systems
 Thermal Hydraulics
 Young Members Group

Publications 

The American Nuclear Society publishes various journals, magazines, newsletters, and books.

 Nuclear News
 Radwaste Solutions
 Nuclear Science and Engineering
 Nuclear Technology
 Fusion Science and Technology
 Nuclear Newswire

Student sections 
The American Nuclear Society consists of student sections at colleges and universities throughout the United States and abroad. As of spring 2020, the table below lists the active student sections of ANS.

Local sections 

Throughout the US and the world, numerous Local sections constitute the foundation of ANS. Members are encouraged to affiliate with a Local Section or Plant Branch to expand their professional connections and contribute to public education and outreach in the nuclear sector.

See also
 Alpha Nu Sigma
 Institute of Nuclear Materials Management
 Nuclear Energy Institute
 Guy Tavernier (fr)
 J. Ernest Wilkins, Jr.
 Margaret K. Butler
 European Nuclear Society

External links
 ANS Official Website
 ANS Young Members Group

References

Professional associations based in the United States
Nuclear organizations
1954 establishments in the United States
Organizations established in 1954
501(c)(3) organizations