Articles tagged with Nuclear Energy
High-powered lasers can vaporize a solid target, creating plasma that rapidly expands and generates strong magnetic fields. The team derived a simple threshold criterion to predict plasma magnetization for given laser and target parameters.
The US Department of Energy has selected four companies to participate in its Nuclear Energy Launch Pad initiative, which aims to support the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies. The selected companies will receive technical, regulatory, and deployment support from the National Reactor Innovation Center.
A team from Oak Ridge National Laboratory used large-format additive manufacturing to create high-precision molds for advanced nuclear reactors, lowering costs and speeding deployment of new plants. The project demonstrates the potential of digital manufacturing to cut weeks off the schedule while meeting strict nuclear standards.
The US Department of Energy's National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) has launched the world's first microreactor test bed, DOME, to accelerate development and testing of privately developed advanced nuclear reactors. The test bed will enable rapid demonstration of reactor concepts and gather performance data to support design verifi...
A University of Manchester Professor has been appointed as an Expert Reviewer for the NDA 2026 Review, led by Dr Tim Stone CBE. The review assesses the NDA's strategic planning, project delivery, and financial management to ensure value for money and highest safety standards.
A new report recommends increased investment in America's fusion diagnostic capabilities, a critical technology that could provide information to speed up the delivery of commercial fusion power plants. The report identifies key areas for research and development to advance U.S. leadership in fusion energy and plasma technologies.
Researchers have developed a new method for qualifying materials for use in advanced nuclear reactors, which uses ion beams to mimic radiation damage. This approach can be done at a fraction of the cost and time required by traditional test reactors.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that US counties near operational nuclear power plants have higher rates of cancer mortality than those farther away. The researchers estimated around 115,000 cancer deaths in the US over the study period attributed to NPP proximity.
The National Reactor Innovation Center's new Molten Salt Thermophysical Examination Capability will enable researchers to gather reliable data for designing and testing molten salt reactors. The capability is a key step toward advancing next-generation nuclear reactor technologies, addressing national energy objectives.
The partnership aims to accelerate the development of fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactors, which use molten fluoride salt coolant with TRISO fuel. ORNL will provide expertise and access to specialized facilities for review and evaluation, as well as manufacture components for reactor development and testing.
A study published in Engineering suggests that coal-to-nuclear (C2N) conversion can unlock additional nuclear growth in China, expanding its share to 22% by 2060 while maintaining grid stability. The technology also proves cost-effective, delivering cumulative savings of 0.44-1.39 trillion CNY for the power system.
The US nuclear power renaissance faces a blind spot in uranium fuel supplies, which are tight, vulnerable to geopolitics, and expensive. New fuel forms for advanced reactors offer promise, but scaling them affordably could squeeze conventional fuel markets.
Scientists develop corrosion-resistant alumina-forming ferritic alloys that exhibit outstanding mechanical properties and oxidation resistance, potentially transforming energy systems and nuclear reactors. These materials offer economic feasibility while maintaining high reliability and could accelerate adoption in practical applications.
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has received a $251,650 DOE award to establish an in-situ scanning electron microscopy platform for irradiated materials. The high-resolution microscope will enhance the university's research capabilities in extreme environments.
The CHSN01 jacket material has achieved an average yield strength of 1560 MPa at 4.2 K, setting a new benchmark in cryogenic steel properties. This breakthrough demonstrates exceptional mechanical properties, non-magnetic nature, and high-strength performance under extreme conditions.
The Idaho National Laboratory has successfully delivered the first batch of tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) particle fuel to the Transient Reactor Test Facility, paving the way for Project Pele's demonstration microreactor. This fuel, known for its durability under high heat and radiation, is a key component in advanced nuclear reactors.
The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) has received the 2025 HPCwire Readers' and Editors' Choice Awards for its outstanding research in artificial intelligence and energy systems. NCSA's premier supercomputing systems Delta and DeltaAI were utilized in two different domains, including a novel AI-based approach to m...
A new study by MIT researchers and their collaborators at national laboratories quantifies I-129 release under three different scenarios: direct disposal in deep underground repositories, dilution and release, and filters to capture I-129. France's practice of reprocessing releases 90% of I-129 into the biosphere, while U.S. approach l...
Aston University is part of a UK-wide project creating low-carbon energy from waste steam produced by nuclear plants. The METASIS 2.0 project aims to lower the demand for expensive electrical power by partially replacing it with waste heat, using solid oxide steam electrolysers.
The University of Pittsburgh is launching a groundbreaking undergraduate degree in Natural Gas, Renewables, and Oil Engineering (GRO), combining traditional oil and gas engineering with renewable systems. The program prepares students for a rapidly changing global energy market and offers strong career prospects.
The scientific program includes presentations on new research in exotic and radioactive nuclei, quark-gluon plasma, nucleosynthesis, neutrinos, and more. Registration is now open for news media with valid APS press credentials.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have demonstrated that electrochemically loading a solid metal target with deuterium fuel can increase fusion reaction rates by an average of 15%. The approach uses a room-temperature reactor and achieves this boost without generating heat, paving the way for clean energy generation.
Researchers are developing a new system to use nuclear waste to produce valuable tritium, which could power over 500,000 homes for six months. The system uses a particle accelerator to jump-start atom-splitting reactions in the waste, producing more tritium than traditional fusion reactors.
A £13m UK university consortium is developing sustainable technologies for advanced modular reactors, aiming to secure the UK's position in nuclear innovation. The ENLIGHT programme will address key challenges, including sovereign supply of nuclear graphite and managing irradiated waste.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics have successfully detected antineutrinos from a nuclear reactor using the CONUS+ experiment. The detection uses Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering (CEvNS), allowing for improved sensitivity to new physics beyond the Standard Model.
The Idaho National Laboratory is collaborating with Amazon Web Services to develop artificial intelligence tools for nuclear energy projects. The laboratory aims to reduce the costs and timeframes of designing, licensing, building, and operating nuclear facilities using advanced AI technologies.
The lab utilizes AI to automate and accelerate nuclear license applications, reducing review times by approximately 90% compared to traditional methods. This innovation aims to improve the efficiency of the licensing process while maintaining safety standards.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University analyze historical U.S. carbon emissions trends, identifying factors that contributed to changes and offering lessons for developing countries. The study suggests that investing in efficient technologies and avoiding overreliance on coal can help avoid pitfalls encountered by the United States.
The Idaho National Laboratory is using Microsoft's Azure cloud and artificial intelligence to automate the nuclear permitting and licensing process. The tool generates reports required for construction permits and operating licenses, streamlining efficiency and accelerating deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.
Researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University proposed a method for neutron spectrum regulation to enhance the irradiation production efficiency of transuranium isotopes. The new method achieves efficient and precise neutron spectrum optimization, maximizing the production of transuranic isotopes.
A novel observation of enhanced neutron-rich particle emission from out-of-fission-plane has been made in Fermi energy heavy ion reactions. This study uses advanced detection system CSHINE to measure charged particles and fission fragments, providing a vivid view of isospin migration dynamics.
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Consolidated Nuclear Security have partnered to create a National Security Prototype Center in Oak Ridge, focusing on manufacturing solutions for the nuclear sector. The center aims to develop qualified prototypes that provide solutions for national security and nuclear energy sectors.
Researchers developed a whole system uncertainty model and an Intelligent optimized power control system for space nuclear reactors, achieving faster response, higher control accuracy, and stronger adaptability. The study clarifies the uncertainty coupling mechanism of neutronics parameters, thermal hydraulic parameters, and control sy...
DELERIA, a novel software platform, is being developed to support the GRETA spectrometer in nuclear physics experiments. The platform enables real-time data analysis, allowing researchers to make critical adjustments during the experiment, leading to faster and more accurate results.
Heavy nuclei at the neutron drip line exhibit weak binding due to coupling between nucleus-bound states and continuum spectrum. Researchers find that isospin asymmetry saturation affects Coulomb energy and symmetry energy, while deformation energy resists augmented proton charge. They also discover a correlation between magic numbers a...
A University of Texas-led team has discovered a shortcut to design leak-proof magnetic confinement systems in stellarator reactors, addressing a 70-year-old challenge. This breakthrough enables engineers to simulate the system more efficiently without sacrificing accuracy, paving the way for the development of reliable fusion energy.
Researchers developed an advanced microscopic method to map residual stress in ultra-narrow weld zones, revealing the impact on P91 steel's strength and brittleness. The findings provide critical insights for designing safer and longer-lasting fusion energy systems.
A novel machine learning-driven approach uses deep-learning operator-surrogate models to monitor critical degradation indicators in nuclear power facilities. This technique provides real-time predictions and addresses limitations of physical sensors or classical modeling predictions.
Researchers have developed a prototype betavoltaic battery powered by radiocarbon, an unstable and radioactive form of carbon, that can generate electricity through beta rays. The battery has shown higher energy conversion efficiency compared to conventional Li-ion batteries, making it suitable for applications like pacemakers.
The Idaho National Laboratory is seeking a private sector sponsor to invest in an innovation incubator supporting breakthrough innovations in nuclear energy, cybersecurity, and advanced materials. The program aims to provide seed-stage startups with access to INL's world-class facilities and technical expertise.
The University of Tennessee has unveiled a new Operator Training Simulator Laboratory in partnership with Kairos Power. The lab will provide hands-on training for reactor operators and serve as a hub for UT students entering the advanced nuclear industry. It features state-of-the-art human-machine interfaces and simulates KP-FHR dynamics.
Scientists studying neutron 'starquakes' hope to gain new insights into the properties of neutron stars, improving our understanding of the universe. This research has potential implications for fields like health, security, and energy.
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has been awarded a $20 million grant from the US Department of Energy to develop high-performance materials for fusion energy systems. The project, IMPACT, aims to revolutionize material design and manufacturing, addressing a key challenge in making fusion energy commercially viable.
The Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester has launched an IFE-STAR ecosystem to develop a clean, safe, and virtually limitless energy source. The initiative aims to accelerate fusion science and technology by building a national network of coordination and collaboration.
Argonne will support two projects in Ukraine under the DOS NEXT initiative, focusing on clean hydrogen power and rebuilding the steel industry. The project aims to provide energy security and resiliency benefits for clean steel production in post-war Ukraine.
A recent study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that nuclear energy can lead to a more affordable energy system overall. It can reduce the need for costly power grid expansions and energy storage, while lowering environmental impacts and air pollution.
New research from the University of Michigan shows that small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) are economically viable and can be deployed by 2050. SMRs have the potential to reduce US carbon dioxide emissions by up to 59 million metric tons annually, making them a low-cost option for meeting energy demands and emission goals.
Brian Leard, a PhD student at Lehigh University, has been awarded a prestigious DOE grant to conduct research at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility. He aims to develop simulation codes that can optimize actuator operation and improve the accuracy of plasma physics predictions.
Iowa State University researchers are using additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, to create tungsten shields and components that can withstand high temperatures and radiation in nuclear reactors. The goal is to improve the efficiency of nuclear power and reduce costs.
Researchers developed a detector that senses and analyzes antineutrinos emitted by nuclear reactors, enabling detection of reactor use even from hundreds of miles away. The device exploits Cherenkov radiation to characterize energy profiles and can distinguish between operational cycles and specific isotopes in spent fuel.
Scientists at Lehigh University are using mayonnaise to study Rayleigh-Taylor instability and its transition to a plastic regime. The researchers aim to better understand the physics of nuclear fusion through this unconventional approach.
Researchers at the University of Buffalo have successfully fabricated the world's highest-performing high-temperature superconducting (HTS) wire segment, achieving critical current density and pinning force values previously unseen. The breakthrough could significantly improve the price-performance metric for commercial coated conducto...
Researchers at Lehigh University use mayonnaise to simulate the phases of Rayleigh-Taylor instability in nuclear fusion, which could inform the design of future inertial confinement fusion processes. The team found that understanding the transition between elastic and stable plastic phases is critical for controlling the instability.
Researchers studied jet energy loss in nucleus-nucleus collisions, revealing a decrease in the jet transport coefficient with increasing medium temperature. This discovery provides a more accurate understanding of jet quenching in high-energy collisions.
A comprehensive analysis of US coal power plants reveals feasibility for conversion to advanced nuclear reactors, providing valuable insights for policymakers and utilities. The study uses a GIS-based tool to evaluate socio-technical and economic factors, suggesting a broad spectrum of suitability levels across different locations.
The study reveals that supergranules, a flow structure in the sun's interior, challenge standard theories of solar convection. Researchers discovered that downflows appear weaker than upflows, suggesting an unseen component that could be small-scale plumes transporting cooler plasma into the sun's interior.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the one-neutron stripping process in lithium-6 and bismuth-209 reactions. The study reveals that this process yields results comparable to fusion reactions, especially at energy regions near nuclear barriers.
A recent study analyzing 300,000 X posts found that 48 US states have a more positive than negative tone towards nuclear energy, with a national average at 54% positive. Concerns about waste, cost, and safety dominate negative sentiment, while technology themes fuel positive sentiments highlighting innovations and job creation.
Physicists have achieved a breakthrough by exciting thorium atomic nuclei with lasers for the first time, enabling precise tracking of their return to original energy states. This discovery has far-reaching implications for precision measurement techniques, including nuclear clocks and fundamental questions in physics.
Scientists at Zap Energy have achieved a major breakthrough in fusion technology, creating a plasma with electron temperatures of up to 37 million degrees Celsius. The company's sheared-flow-stabilized Z pinch device far exceeds the previous record and offers a promising path to commercial fusion energy.