About NPSS

The IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society (NPSS) originated in 1949 as the Professional Group on Nuclear Science within the IRE. At about the same time, the AIEE formed two committees, one on nucleonics, the other on nucleonic and radiation instruments. In 1963, the IRE and AIEE merged to form the IEEE. This resulted in the creation of the Nuclear Science Group. In 1972, Plasma Science was added and the group was promoted to a society. The NPSS is composed of nine technical committees with a common interest in advancing nuclear and plasma sciences.
History of NPSS
NPSS Brochure (pdf)
NPSS Poster to download and print (pdf)

IEEE is...

  • The most prolific technical publisher worldwide.
  • The largest technical/scientific professional organization.
  • International with activities in all regions of the world and offices in Asia and Europe.
  • Organizes the most number of technical meetings and has the highest aggregate attendance.
  • The professional organization with the broadest technical scope with 38 Technical Societies.

NPSS is...

  • The IEEE Technical Society that covers the fields of Fusion Technology, Nuclear Medical and Imaging Sciences, Particle Accelerator Science and Technology, Pulsed Power Systems, Radiation Effects, Radiation Instrumentation, Plasma Sciences and Applications, Standards for Nuclear Instruments and Detectors, and Computer Applications in Nuclear and Plasma Sciences.
  • Organizes and supports many symposia, conferences and workshops each year.
  • Publishes three Transactions (one in collaboration with three other societies).
  • Publishes a Newsletter that reaches all members three times a year.
  • Presents awards each year to recognize major contributors to the field.
  • Access to publications through IEEE Xplore™ on-line.
  • Save on conference registration.
  • Keep in touch via the NPSS Newsletter (worth more than the dues by itself!).
  • Support the growth of the profession.
  • Get involved in the affairs of NPSS and help direct and further promote our profession and make further valuable contacts.

NPSS Fields of Interest

The fields of interest of the Society are the nuclear and plasma sciences. The Society shall devote itself to publication or other dissemination of original contributions to the theory, experiments, educational methods and applications of these fields, and to the development of standards. Areas of technical activity shall include but not be limited to the following: Nuclear science and engineering, and plasma science and engineering, including computer applications in plasma and nuclear science, nuclear medical and imaging sciences, particle accelerator science and technology, pulsed power science and technology, radiation effects, and radiation instrumentation. These fields of interest include instrumentation for research; detection and measurement of radiation; nuclear biomedical applications; radiation monitoring and safety equipment; particle accelerators; magnetofluid dynamics and thermionics; plasma dynamics; gaseous electronics and arc technology; controlled thermonuclear fusion; electron, ion, and plasma sources; space plasmas; high-current relativistic electron beams and accelerators; laser-plasma interactions; diagnostics; plasma chemistry and colloidal and solid state plasmas, z pinch drivers, nuclear instrumentation development for reactor systems; effects of radiation on materials, components, and systems; and applications of radiation and nuclear energy to other than utility power generation.

Message From the President

Bob Reinovsky

Membership in a professional society means many things to the engineering professional working in industry, academia and or in laboratories. It can mean up-to-the-minute access to the latest technical results published in referred journals, or an easy way to stay current in the broad spectrum of advances across related fields. It can mean opportunities to participate in specialized technical conferences and workshops, exchanging ideas with experts from around the world. It can mean networking with friends and colleagues, and a great opportunity for those informal discussions that generate new ideas – or new solutions to old problems. It can mean developing professional relationships that last a lifetime, relationships that can lead to new job opportunities for yourself, your student, or your colleague. Or it can mean very practical support services for the independent consultant or the proprietor of a small technical business. It can mean opportunities for service to your technical community, your profession, and, indeed, all of humanity. The IEEE, and its 38 member societies, as the world’s largest professional organization offers the broadest range of services and opportunities to its members. If you are not a member of IEEE, I invite you to consider all the benefits of membership.

If you are an engineering or scientific professional working in the areas of radiation instrumentation, medical imaging sciences, radiation effects, plasma sciences, fusion technology, pulsed power, particle accelerators, nuclear power and technology, and computer applications, the IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society is your local home in the larger IEEE family. If you are not already a member of NPSS, I invite you to read further to learn about NPSS conferences, workshops, transactions, journals, technical committees, and policy and liaison functions. In the following pages you can taste the breadth and depth of the NPSS, and, I believe, you will find a reason to become a member.

If you are already a member of NPSS, you are already enjoying some of these benefits. In that case, I invite you to do two things: first, tell your colleagues in the next office, or in the lab next door, about some of what the NPSS means to you. The probability is high that what matters to you will be significant to him or to her as well: share the opportunities. Second, I invite you to try something new for yourself. If you have regularly participated in NPSS conferences, volunteer to work on the organization of a future conference in that series, or on a Technical Committee of your choice. If you publish in NPSS Transactions or Journals, consider helping with editorial responsibilities. If you are beginning your career, consider the opportunities in our Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) activities, and if you live outside the US, consider helping to further extend our international activities, perhaps through our Transnational Activities Committee. If you are interested in IEEE policy or in helping with the details that make our Society run, contact me (bobr@lanl.gov). Try us. I think you will be amazed at the satisfaction it will bring.

Sincerely,
Bob Reinovsky
NPSS President