The Advanced Nuclear Materials (ANM) program
Introduction
The Advanced Nuclear Materials program covers long-term and basic research oriented R&D activities. The current focus is put to target and structural materials for Spallation Neutron Sources (SNS) and fuel elements for fast reactors and accelerator-driven systems (ADS) and to the unique SINQ Target Irradiation Program (STIP). The ANM program is essential for the safe operation and performance of SINQ at PSI and construction of the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Europe as well as for the improvement of the sustainability of nuclear energy production within the International Generation IV Forum (GIF). The latter two are international obligations of Switzerland with PSI as major implementing agency. These activities are important for nuclear education and attraction of young gifted people. With a limited financial effort, they allow to directly follow the international development in this field (technology watch) and to preserve sufficient judging competence.