POPA Reports
Energy Critical Elements Report
Energy Critical Elements: Securing Materials for Emerging Technologies describes a plan to secure future supplies of rare earths and other elements critical to U.S energy independence.
Energy Critical Elements Report 
Have a Report Suggestion?
POPA is now accepting ideas and proposals from APS members for future studies and reports.
Suggest Future POPA Studies
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.
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
Energy Critical Elements: Securing Materials for Emerging Technologies
February 2011
A Report from the APS Panel on Public Affairs Committee and the Materials Research Society (MRS)
Energy Critical Elements Report
Energy Critical Elements Fact Sheet
Integrating Renewable Electricity on the Grid
November 2010
A Report from the APS Panel on Public Affairs Committee on Energy & Environment
Integrating Renewable Electricity on the Grid Report
Executive Summary
Electricity Supply & Demand Map
Technical Steps to Support Nuclear Arsenal Downsizing
February 2010
A Report from the APS Panel on Public Affairs
Technical Steps to Support Nuclear Arsenal Downsizing
Executive Summary
Nuclear Weapons in 21st Century U.S. National Security
November 2008
A Joint Report of AAAS, American Physical Society, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies
Nuclear Weapons in 21st Century U.S. National Security
Background on Nuclear Weapons Report and Authors
APS News Article on Report
Readiness of the U.S. Nuclear Workforce for 21st Century Challenges
June 2008
A Report from the APS Panel on Public Affairs Committee on Energy & Environment
Readiness of the U.S. Nuclear Workforce for 21st Century Challenges Report
Executive Summary
Report Appendices
Nuclear Forensics - Role, State of the Art, Program Needs
February 2008
Prepared by the Joint Working Group of American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Nuclear Forensics - Role, State of the Art, Program Needs Report
Challenges of Electricity Storage Technologies
May 2007
Challenges of Electricity Storage Technologies Report
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.
Consolidated Interim Storage of Commercial Spent Nuclear Fuel Report
Nuclear Power and Proliferation Resistance
May 2005
A report by the Nuclear Energy Study Group of the Panel on Public Affairs.
Nuclear Power and Proliferation Resistance Report
Author Biographies
The Moon-Mars Program
November 2004
A report by American Physical Society Special Committee on NASA Funding for Astrophysics.
The Moon-Mars Program Report
The Modern Pit Facility (MPF)
April 2004
No urgency for a MPF. Address key technical issues before proceeding.
The Modern Pit Facility (MPF) Report
The Hydrogen Initiative
March 2004
Current technology is promising but not competitive. More emphasis needed on solving fundamental science problems.
The Hydrogen Initiative Report
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.
Nuclear Energy: Present Technology, Safety, and Future Directions: A Status Report
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.
Report of the APS Advisory Committee for Technical Studies on National Missile Defense
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.
Physics, Technology and Economic Growth Report
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.
Report of the Ad Hoc Panel on Patriot Performance
The Current Energy Situation & Background Papers
September 1996
The Current Energy Situation & Background Papers Report
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.
Background Paper in Support of the American Physical Society's Statement on Conservation of Helium
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.
Power Line Fields and Public Health Report
Background Paper on Power Line Fields and Public Health Report
