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

Craig Woody

The Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society is one of 38 Societies within the IEEE and is devoted to the advancement of electrical and electronic engineering in nuclear and plasma sciences. It encompasses a broad range of interests in these fields which includes radiation instrumentation, medical imaging sciences, radiation effects, plasma sciences and its applications, fusion technology, pulsed power systems, particle accelerator science and technology, and computer applications for nuclear and plasma sciences. It provides for the dissemination and exchange of information in these areas by sponsoring numerous conferences, workshops and symposia each year, and through the publication of important new results in several IEEE transactions and journals. These activities provide a forum where members of our community can met and interact with colleagues not only in their own field, but also in other related fields, where they can expand their knowledge and learn about new emerging technologies.

As a member of both IEEE and NPSS, you will receive unlimited access to both the Transactions on Nuclear Science and the Transactions on Plasma Science, as well as all NPSS Conference Proceedings. You will also receive the NPSS Newsletter which will allow you to keep abreast of upcoming conferences and other activities within our Society. And, as a member of IEEE, you will receive a copy of Spectrum Magazine, which will keep you informed about what is happening in the entire IEEE organization. Our Society also gives out a number of awards each year for outstanding contributions in various fields, ranging from student and early career awards, to lifetime achievement awards. We also sponsor numerous educational programs, a program for women in science and engineering, and a Distinguished Lecturer program.

The NPSS is also a very international and culturally diverse group. We sponsor many conferences outside the US, with ever increasing numbers being held in Europe and Asia. We have numerous chapters around the world and our international membership is growing. We strongly encourage participation in all of our Society’s activities by our international colleagues, and look forward to expanding our activities into new geographical regions in the future.

What makes our Society what it is are the people who are a part of it, and I strongly encourage all of you to participate in keeping it healthy and helping it grow. If you are not a member, please have a look at the information in this brochure and consider joining. I’m sure you will not regret it. The colleagues you meet and the friends you will make will last a lifetime. If you are already a member, please also consider serving the Society in your own way as a volunteer. You can become involved in many ways, including being elected to one of our committees, forming a chapter, or helping to organize a conference. I look forward to meeting many of you during my term of office as NPSS President and finding ways to make our Society serve you better. If you have any questions about the NPSS or what it can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact me at woody@bnl.gov.

Sincerely,
Craig Woody
NPSS President