Articles tagged with Nuclear Reactors
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The International Energy Agency argues that nuclear power can fill the gap in low-carbon electricity generation, but safety concerns and high costs are barriers. Nuclear reactors can generate energy with low greenhouse gas emissions like other low-carbon sources.
Researchers have developed a technique that allows for real-time microscopic observation of materials under extreme heat and loading conditions. This breakthrough enables the study of material behavior in nuclear reactors and other extreme environments, with potential applications in developing new high-performance materials.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has licensed Purdue University's Reactor Number One as the first entirely digital nuclear reactor instrumentation and control system. This upgrade enables capabilities like predictive analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, making reactors safer and extending their lifetime.
ORNL scientists create porous carbon structures from waste soft drinks to capture CO2 emissions. They also discover a practical way to share secret messages among three parties using laser light for improved cybersecurity. Additionally, researchers develop high-performance polymers for next-generation lithium-ion batteries
Researchers have discovered the history of hundreds of lost WWII-era uranium cubes from Germany, which were part of a secretive and ultimately failed effort to build a working nuclear reactor. The findings highlight the differences between German and American nuclear research programs, with the former being divided and competitive.
The Versatile Test Reactor will allow scientists to test various fuels, coolants and reactor components to evaluate new technologies for future generations of advanced nuclear reactors. The reactor's experimental configurations will provide key information to scientists as they work to develop innovative reactor designs.
Researchers at MIT and Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new laser-based system that can monitor radiation-induced changes continuously, providing more useful data much faster than traditional methods. This allows for detailed studies of the performance of materials in just hours, instead of months.
The US Department of Energy has awarded a subcontract to GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy to support the conceptual design and cost/schedule estimate activities for a proposed fast spectrum Versatile Test Reactor. The reactor is crucial for developing innovative nuclear fuels, materials, instrumentation, and sensors.
Sunita Chandrasekaran is designing frameworks to adapt code to increasingly powerful systems, focusing on complex patterns like wavefronts. She aims to improve performance and portability while keeping scientists in mind, enabling them to concentrate on science rather than software.
The Energy Secretary has recognized researchers from Argonne National Laboratory for converting a Ghana Research Reactor-1 Miniature Neutron Source Reactor to low-enriched fuel, eliminating a nuclear threat. The team's collaborative efforts reduced the risk of nuclear proliferation while maintaining scientific capability.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers developed modified atmosphere insulation, a viable solution to improve building energy efficiency. Additionally, scientists created an open source software platform allowing quantum programs to run on multiple quantum computers, revolutionizing modern computing. The lab also made breakthroughs ...
Researchers advise caution on new pebble-bed nuclear reactors due to potential for accidents and inadequate safety measures. The design lacks key safeguards, including a high-pressure containment structure and redundant cooling system, increasing the risk of radioactive material release.
Scientists have found significant concentrations of fission products, including barium isotopes, within ruthenium metal and sulfide aggregates at the Oklo reactor site. The discovery suggests that these aggregates formed approximately five years after reactor shutdown, with potential implications for nuclear waste storage.
Researchers develop new microscopy technique to track microstructural changes in real-time under high heat and stress. Alloy 709 shows promising results as a strong and resistant material for elevated temperature applications like next-generation nuclear power plants.
The US nuclear power sector is expected to vanish in the next few decades due to the aging of large light water reactors and competition from low-cost natural gas. Advanced reactor designs and small modular reactors may not play a significant role in US energy markets either.
Nuclear power's contribution to US energy is expected to decline over several decades due to a lack of advanced reactor designs and economically viable small modular reactors. Researchers warn that decarbonization efforts will be hindered without significant policy changes.
The University of Alberta has successfully produced enough medical isotopes for 1,000 diagnostic procedures a day using a particle accelerator called a cyclotron. This innovation addresses the shortage of technetium-99m, a crucial isotope used in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The US will gain better capabilities to respond to a nuclear attack thanks to Penn State's research on nuclear forensics, which will analyze special nuclear materials for unique signatures. The project will enhance national response in the face of a nuclear detonation and contribute to broader applications in nuclear science.
Carnegie Mellon's RadPiper robots will identify uranium deposits on pipe walls at the U.S. Department of Energy's former uranium enrichment plant in Piketon, Ohio, saving tens of millions of dollars in completing characterization. The robot's use reduces hazards to workers and increases labor savings by an eight-to-one ratio.
Researchers have developed two new equations to correct the Kinchin-Pease equation's limitations, providing accurate predictions of radiation damage in materials. The new equations consider athermal recombination and replacements-per-atom, improving the usable lifetime of materials in nuclear reactors and other environments.
A new study by international researchers has found uranium and other radioactive materials in tiny particles released from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi reactors. These micro-particles could last much longer than previously expected due to their small size, which allows humans to inhale them.
Scientists conduct first weld tests of a new system designed to repair highly irradiated materials, introducing advanced techniques to reduce cracking and stress. The testing is crucial for extending the life of nuclear power plants and reducing costs for the industry.
Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University are developing a technology to burn weapons-grade plutonium in high-temperature gas-cool low-power reactors, converting it into power and thermal energy. The process also enables the desalination of water, making it suitable for areas without large water bodies.
Scientists at Mainz University have increased the yield of their ultracold neutron source by a factor of 3.5, achieving 8.5 UCN per cubic centimeter. This improvement enables more sensitive measurements to determine the lifetime of free neutrons and is crucial for experiments in fundamental research.
A new study suggests that few people should be asked to leave their homes after a big nuclear accident, as the cost of relocation outweighs the benefits. The J-value method, developed by Professor Philip Thomas, assesses the trade-off between safety measures and life expectancy gains.
Researchers at Rutgers University have developed an extremely efficient molecular trap that can capture radioactive iodides in spent nuclear reactor fuel, far outperforming existing industrial materials. The material has high porosity and can be recycled and reused, making it a potential game-changer for nuclear waste reprocessing.
Thorsten Denk's device can make enough oxygen and water for 6 to 8 astronauts using a thermal solar reactor, powered by concentrated solar radiation. The process involves chemical splitting of water from lunar soil, followed by electrolysis to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are developing new materials to repair heavy-duty vehicle engines, reducing energy consumption and extending their lifespan. The lab is also working on smart home solutions to optimize energy usage in homes, using advanced algorithms and sensors to collect data on energy demand.
A new study reveals the US Office of Nuclear Energy's budget history, showing a lack of effective allocation of resources and failure to support innovative research. The researchers recommend a new approach with stricter programmatic discipline and transparent evaluation processes to identify promising reactor concepts.
A new study published in Science magazine reveals that US nuclear regulators are relying on flawed analysis to justify their refusal to adopt critical safety measures. The consequences of a catastrophic nuclear-waste fire could be considerably larger than the Fukushima accident, forcing millions of people to relocate and resulting in $...
Scientists at Tomsk Polytechnic University create protective coatings for zirconium fuel rods to prevent explosions in nuclear reactors. The titanium nitride-based coatings can reduce hydrogen penetration, extending the life of fuel rods and protecting reactor safety.
The UK's civil plutonium stockpile is expected to exceed 140 tonnes by 2020, raising security concerns. A re-examination of the UK's plutonium policy is needed to allow for swift immobilisation and maximize safety, security, and affordability for taxpayers.
Scientists at the University of Missouri have developed a noninvasive procedure to identify individuals exposed to uranium within one year using hair and nail samples. The technique can also distinguish between natural and manmade sources of uranium, offering a significant advantage in detecting nuclear smuggling threats.
Two USU professors will receive grants to study accident-tolerant nuclear fuels and improve computer models for reactor cooling systems. The research aims to advance understanding of fuel behavior, performance, and computational tools for improved safety.
The Yale University-led PROSPECT experiment will explore key questions about neutrinos and potentially improve nuclear reactor safety. It aims to detect and measure the energy distribution of neutrinos near a research reactor with unparalleled sensitivity.
Researchers have found that adding carbon nanotubes to aluminum can slow down the breakdown process caused by radiation exposure, allowing it to last longer. The new material has been shown to retain its strength and resilience even after prolonged irradiation, with reduced embrittlement and pores.
Researchers at ORNL will support two new DOE-funded projects exploring advanced nuclear reactor technologies, including molten chloride fast reactors and pebble bed high-temperature gas-cooled reactors.
Researchers analyzed rice, soil, mushroom, and soybean samples from 100-250 km from the plant to identify original sources of radioactive contamination. Their results suggest that radiocesium southwest comes from reactor cores 1, 2, and 3.
Designing alloys to withstand extreme environments is a fundamental challenge for materials scientists. Researchers found that exploiting the complexity of equal amounts of up to four different metallic elements can lead to improved radiation resistance. The results reveal significantly reduced defect production and damage accumulation...
Kansas State University has upgraded its nuclear reactor control console with a new system funded by a $1.5 million grant from the US Department of Energy. The upgrade will improve compatibility with current equipment and enable researchers to access data more easily for lab experiments.
The Daya Bay Collaboration has made the most precise neutrino measurements to date, tracking neutrino oscillations and confirming that the experiment is a key player in advancing our understanding of fundamental physics. The new findings will aid in unraveling the mysteries of matter and antimatter asymmetry in the universe.
A team of geologists and physicists has generated the world's first global map of antineutrino emissions, which provides an important baseline image of the energy budget of Earth's interior. The map reveals that natural sources accounted for less than 1 percent of detected antineutrinos, highlighting human-made radioactivity.
The Antineutrino Global Map 2015 offers new insights into the Earth's interior and reveals information about the planet's heat sources and geodynamics. The map provides a new tool for basic science research and nuclear nonproliferation efforts.
The US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has successfully demonstrated the production, separation and purification of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) using a process developed in cooperation with SHINE Medical Technologies. The new method uses fast neutrons to create Mo-99 from an aqueous solution of uranium.
A £1 million project at the University of Huddersfield will provide scientific data for safe and reliable nuclear reactors. The research will investigate radiation damage on materials, addressing the UK's shortage of nuclear scientists.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory is partnering with three leading nuclear companies to address technical challenges in advanced reactor design. The partnership aims to create next-generation reactors with improved safety and efficiency.
The Daya Bay Collaboration's new result shows no evidence for a sterile neutrino in a previously unexplored mass range. The absence of detection supports the standard three-flavor neutrino picture, but leaves room for future experiments to explore this possibility.
A team of scientists from Virginia Tech has proposed using neutrino detectors to monitor plutonium production in Iran's Arak reactor. The technology can detect antineutrinos produced by fission of uranium-235 and plutonium-239, providing high-level monitoring not currently offered by any other technique.
A new congressionally mandated report emphasizes the need for US nuclear plant operators and regulators to proactively seek out new information about potential hazards. The Fukushima Daiichi accident highlighted the importance of this approach in preventing or mitigating the consequences of severe nuclear accidents.
A new method for enriching stable isotopes, called MAGIS, has the potential to be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than existing methods. This could ensure a continued supply of critical isotopes for medical imaging and nuclear power, while also opening up opportunities for new medical therapies and fundamental scientific rese...
Researchers have successfully detected element 117, a key find in the quest for the 'island of stability', with half-lives of about one hour and 11 hours. The observation marks an important milestone in superheavy element research, demonstrating reliable identification methods.
Researchers have developed a method to detect antineutrinos emitted by nuclear reactors, allowing for the monitoring of reactor cores' status, performance, and composition. The detection method was tested using detectors with a volume of only one cubic meter, producing results that show promise for future reactor monitoring.
A new design for nuclear plants built on floating platforms could provide enhanced safety, as they would be automatically cooled by surrounding seawater in a worst-case scenario. The concept takes advantage of mature technologies and minimizes technological risks.
A study in AIP Advances describes a muon imaging technique that could help assess damage within the reactor's core, locate melted fuel and potentially reduce radiation doses. The method uses naturally occurring muons to image dense objects, offering advantages over traditional muon imaging.
Researchers at MIT are developing a ceramic compound called silicon carbide (SiC) as an alternative to traditional zircaloy cladding for nuclear fuel rods. SiC shows promise in reducing the risk of hydrogen production by a thousandfold, while also potentially allowing for longer use of fuel rods and reduced spent fuel volume.
Caltech researchers discover that interfaces between metals can absorb radiation damage, maintaining material strength and ductility. Nanopillars with helium bubbles at interfaces show increased strength without embrittlement.
Researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory have devised a method to use cosmic rays to gather detailed information from inside damaged reactor cores. The technique, known as muon scattering, showed superiority over traditional transmission methods for capturing high-resolution image data.
The University of Tennessee will participate in two Department of Energy projects worth over $9 million to enhance nuclear energy safety and efficiency. Researchers aim to develop new materials and designs that can prevent accidents, such as those seen at Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011.
A Spanish research study has identified 23 nuclear power plants in Asia and beyond as being at high risk due to tsunamis, including Fukushima I. The study found that 74 reactors are located in the east and southeast of Asia, with some countries like China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Pakistan also facing significant risks.
A University of Alberta team has successfully created technetium-99m in a cyclotron, producing high-quality images comparable to reactor-based isotopes. The breakthrough could provide a reliable alternative to the aging Chalk River facility's medical isotope supply.