POPA Reports

Over the past two decades the APS Council has authorized the Panel on Public Affairs (POPA) to initiate in-depth studies on topics ranging from energy and environment to national security issues. In this process, POPA takes the lead, subject to Council approval, in securing outside funding and establishing the Study Group. The final decision on the release of the study is made by the Council, with advice from POPA and from a Review Panel appointed by the Council. (The procedures are described in more detail in the Guidelines for APS Studies.)

In addition to these large-scale studies, members of POPA have carried out smaller studies, some of which have led to informal reports. These reports, when read and accepted by POPA (but not reviewed with the formality of APS Studies), become POPA Reports.

  Information about POPA
  Study in Progress: Nuclear Weapons Policy

June  2008
A Report from the APS Panel on Public Affairs Committee on Energy & Environment
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  View Executive Summary 
  View Report Appendices 

Nuclear Forensics - Role, State of the Art, Program Needs
February  2008
Prepared by the Joint Working Group of the American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
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Challenges of Electricity Storage Technologies
May 2007
 View Report 
 View Supplement for Policy Makers 

Consolidated Interim Storage of Commercial Spent Nuclear Fuel
February 2007
A technical and programmatic assessment by the Panel on Public Affairs.
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Nuclear Power and Proliferation Resistance
May 2005
A report by the Nuclear Energy Study Group of the Panel on Public Affairs.
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  View Author Biographies

The Moon-Mars Program
November 2004
A report by the American Physical Society Special Committee on NASA Funding for Astrophysics. 
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The Modern Pit Facility (MPF)
April 2004
No urgency for a MPF. Address key technical issues before proceeding. 
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The Hydrogen Initiative
March 2004
Current technology is promising but not competitive. More emphasis needed on solving fundamental science problems. 
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Nuclear Energy: Present Technology, Safety, and Future Directions: A Status Report
November 2001
This paper reviews the methods used to analyze the safety of reactors and presents a description of the new designs. 
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Report of the APS Advisory Committee for Technical Studies on National Missile Defense
December 2000
The APS Advisory Committee on National Missile Defense was appointed by the President of the APS to consider whether the APS should initiate a study of aspects of national missile defense (NMD) and, if so, to assist in identifying possible leaders and members of a study group. 
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Physics, Technology and Economic Growth
March 1998
Our objective is to acquaint APS members with the current understanding of how physics research and education contribute to our national wealth so that they can participate effectively in local discussions of this subject. 
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Report of the Ad Hoc Panel on Patriot Performance
April 1998
A report, "Technical Debate over Patriot Performance in the Gulf War," has been completed by an ad hoc panel appointed by POPA. 
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The Current Energy Situation & Background Papers
September 1996
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Background Paper in Support of the American Physical Society's Statement on Conservation of Helium
April 1996
Helium is absolutely essential to achieving the extremely cold temperatures required by many current and emerging technologies. 
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Power Line Fields and Public Health
April 1995
Physicists are frequently asked to comment on the potential dangers of cancer from electromagnetic fields that emanate from common power lines and electrical appliances.
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  View Background Paper on "Power Line Fields and Public Health"