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 eight technical committees, and a Transnational Committee, 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

Janet Barth

Welcome to the IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society's website. The Society strives to make it current and useful to you. 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 community.

As you explore the NPSS website, I invite you to volunteer to support the NPSS. 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. If you are interested in IEEE policy or in helping with the details that make our Society run, contact me (jbarth@ieee.org).

In these times we face exciting dynamic changes. One very important agent of change is globalization of the IEEE. As a consequence, our membership diversity and demographics are ever-changing; thus, catering to the needs of our members around the world is of prime importance. The NPSS Administrative Committee continues to work hard to promote our activities in as many regions of the world as possible and to serve our members through conferences, publications, educational resources, member recognition, and funding chapter activities. Consider helping to further extend our international activities by serving on the Committee of a conference held in an international location or perhaps through our Transnational Activities Committee.

In the following pages you can experience 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 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.

Sincerely,
Janet Barth
NPSS President