Newswise — As nations look to expand access to reliable and affordable electricity, experts from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory help lead the conversation about the future of nuclear power.
Continuing its leadership in nuclear innovation, Argonne will play a key role at the 2025 American Nuclear Society (ANS) Annual Conference, the society’s premier event and one of the largest gatherings of nuclear professionals in the country. More than 1,000 global nuclear experts will gather to discuss their community’s impact on the expansion of nuclear energy generation in the coming decades. Some of the brightest minds in the nuclear industry will convene to share knowledge, engage with academic, national laboratory, industry and government leaders and discuss the latest research and development efforts shaping the nuclear landscape.
The June meeting in Chicago will include hundreds of technical sessions, exhibits and educational events, all dedicated to advancing nuclear energy-related research and development.
Argonne’s Kirsten Laurin-Kovitz, associate laboratory director for Nuclear Technologies and National Security, will co-chair the ANS meeting and lead the plenary panel session titled, “Globalizing Nuclear: Building Capacity and Collaboration.”
The session, scheduled for Monday, June 16, will gather experts from around the world to tackle a critical question: How can nuclear energy be expanded to meet the increasing global demand?
Speakers will focus on the need for bold, coordinated efforts among countries and industries to achieve global nuclear energy capacity goals. Specifically, they will delve into how their organizations are helping to build nuclear capacity, with a strong focus on international collaboration. Speakers will explore how vendors compete for contracts and discuss national strategies for scaling up nuclear energy. Current fission projects and the exciting possibilities of fusion in the future are also topics for the session.
With more than 30 countries currently pursuing nuclear power, the conversation is timely — and urgent.
“The future of energy is global,” said Laurin-Kovitz. “Argonne conducts R&D in partnership with national and international collaborators to ensure nuclear power is safe, secure and ready to meet real-world challenges. From novel reactor designs to recycling nuclear fuel, our scientists and engineers are developing technologies that make energy more reliable and affordable.”
Argonne, a longtime leader in nuclear reactors and fuel systems, leverages its world-class expertise and facilities to design and test the next generation of nuclear systems. Argonne’s work boosts their performance, safety, security and cost-effectiveness.
At the ANS conference, Argonne researchers will deliver dozens of technical talks showcasing the groundbreaking innovations shaping the future of nuclear research globally.
Speakers will cover topics including advanced designs for microreactors and fast reactors, groundbreaking materials that can extend reactor lifespans and safety margins, reactor safety improvements and the use of AI tools to manage reactors, predict performance and train operators.
The ANS conference will also include RadFest, a nuclear science event for local high school students at Argonne, offering hands-on exposure to nuclear research and career pathways. Conference attendees also have the option to tour some of Argonne’s advanced nuclear facilities, gaining a rare inside look at the research and innovation underway.
A recent surge in national, regional and commercial interest is driving the development of new plants to meet rising electricity demand, both for grid delivery and dedicated nuclear power systems for co-located loads.
Argonne’s work directly supports national and international goals for reliable energy. From advanced reactors that keep power flowing in all weather, to AI that improves power plant productivity, the lab’s innovations increase energy efficiency and raise quality of life. By improving how reactors operate and designing systems that are reliable and affordable, Argonne is turning bold ideas into practical energy solutions.
Much of Argonne’s research in these areas is funded by DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Established by Congress in 2000, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear explosive testing; works to reduce the global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad. Visit nnsa.energy.gov for more information.
The DOE Office of Nuclear Energy’s mission is to advance nuclear power to meet the nation’s energy, environmental and national security needs. For more information, visit the Office of Nuclear Energy website.
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology by conducting leading-edge basic and applied research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://energy.gov/science.
