Articles tagged with Radioactive Waste
A new study finds that illness rates increase with proximity to the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, a site contaminated with radioactive and chemical waste. Wealthier residents, who were expected to take more action to protect themselves, were actually driven by fear to take precautions.
A groundbreaking field-based research study from Nankai University found the average carbon emission of dismantling a single unit of E-waste increased from 1.2513 kgCO2 to 1.3335 kgCO2 between 2013 and 2020, highlighting the urgent need for more efficient recycling technologies.
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...
A 42-page document called the Key Information File contains crucial information about a final repository in Sweden. The researchers aim to create a habit of sharing and renewing knowledge through playfulness and curiosity.
Researchers have developed a battery that can harness ambient gamma radiation to produce strong electric outputs, enabling potential applications in space exploration and sensors. The prototype demonstrated a peak power output of 288 nanowatts using cesium-137 and 1.5 microwatts with cobalt-60.
A new EU-funded project aims to develop innovative methods for recycling lanthanides, a rare earth group used in various industries, from nuclear waste. The MaLaR project will explore the use of graphene oxides as specific element scavengers to extract individual elements from synthetic mixtures.
Researchers at WVU have developed microwave technology to recover propylene from polypropylene waste, which can be reused in new plastics or products. The process uses precise control and lower temperatures than traditional methods, offering energy efficiency and reduced emissions.
A team of researchers at Nagoya University has developed a novel method to seal cracks and fractures in rocks using a concretion-forming resin. The resin holds its shape and seals flow-paths rapidly, withstanding six earthquakes in a test period, making it more durable than conventional cement-based materials.
Four University of Michigan projects aim to improve the monitoring of nuclear reactors during operation, explore advanced reactor designs, develop ethical siting guidelines for nuclear facilities, and upgrade a facility for studying radiation damage. These initiatives may lead to safer and more efficient nuclear energy production.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a method to accurately measure and predict neutron-induced transmutation, which can make nuclear waste more stable. This technique could lead to improved nuclear waste treatment facilities and new theories about the creation of heavier elements in the universe.
Scientists have developed a cage-like molecule to trap sulfate in water, which could help control its concentration in health, industry, and environmental management. The molecular trap can be prepared inexpensively from off-the-shelf chemicals and has potential applications in medicine, such as treating cystic fibrosis.
A new universal figure-of-merit for thermophotovoltaic (TPV) devices has been introduced to assess performance and balance power density and efficiency. This metric enables the classification of previously reported experimental results, providing a clear picture of TPV device overall performance.
Researchers found high levels of anthropogenic uranium in turtles and tortoises from areas contaminated with nuclear fallout and waste. The shells of these animals can serve as environmental monitors for legacy contamination.
Researchers have discovered molecular crystals with exceptional iodine capture capacities, which could prevent radioactive waste from damaging reactor coatings. The crystals can be reused and have potential applications beyond iodine capture, including carbon dioxide capture and lithium-ion battery materials.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a new adsorbent that utilizes problematic protons in acidic wastewater to enhance the removal of radioactive cesium ions. The adsorbent, potassium calcium thiostannate, shows improved capacity under strongly acidic conditions.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed high-adsorption phosphates that can efficiently capture radionuclide cesium ions. These phosphates outperform standard adsorbents with record-high adsorption capacities, making them promising candidates for radioactive waste disposal.
The research team aims to develop a new approach to managing spent nuclear fuel by engaging community members in the design and construction process. This 'community-first approach' involves simulating the engagement of local stakeholders before designing a facility, taking into account their wishes and needs for future storage sites.
A team of scientists has developed a method to extract precious metals like gold and platinum-group metals from electronic waste using the Picasso pigment, Prussian blue. This technique shows promise in improving the recycling of valuable metals from nuclear and electronic wastes.
Researchers have successfully created a transuranium complex with a multiple bond to just one element, enabling the isolation of such compounds for the first time. The discovery has significant implications for nuclear waste clean-up and opens up new opportunities for actinide science.
Researchers examine how heat affects salt and brine in underground tests to refine computer models and inform policymakers about spent nuclear fuel disposal. The understanding gained will help assess the viability of salt beds as a safe storage option for radioactive waste.
Researchers at Lancaster University have developed a new method to generate renewable biofuel additives from organic waste using nuclear radiation. This process could help increase the proportion of petrol with renewable content from 5% to 20% by 2030, reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change.
Researchers developed a method to scale up nanocages to trap noble gases like krypton and xenon. The team used commercial materials and found the optimal temperature range for trapping gas atoms inside the cages.
A study examining nuclear waste reporting in Finland's Helsingin Sanomat and France's Le Monde found distinct cultural, political, and media traditions influencing their approaches. Helsingin Sanomat tends to reproduce government framings, while Le Monde prioritizes independent criticism.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have successfully extracted the rare and valuable isotope promethium-147 from plutonium waste. This process not only reduces disposal costs but also provides a new source of the isotope, which has applications in nuclear batteries, medical imaging, and space exploration.
A new methodological guide developed by the University of the Basque Country aims to optimize radioactive waste management during nuclear facility dismantling. The project focuses on in situ measurements and characterizing strategies for constrained environments, aiming to improve dismantling processes and public perception.
Scientists analyzed samples of radioactive 106Ru contaminant and found markers consistent with nuclear waste reprocessing protocols. The study suggests the 2017 release occurred during such reprocessing, providing new insights into the incident.
Researchers create a new sorbent to extract hazardous radionuclides cesium (137Cs) and strontium (90Sr) from contaminated water. The sorbent can be used in both static and dynamic modes, with high filtration efficiency, and can be regenerated for up to five cycles.
Texas A&M University engineers have devised a simple one-step chemical reaction to separate out different components of nuclear waste. The method results in the formation of crystals containing all leftover nuclear fuel elements uniformly, reducing radioactivity and proliferation risk.
Researchers are studying salt deposits as a long-term disposal solution for high-level nuclear waste, which can create heat and radioactivity. The US Department of Energy is conducting thermal testing underground to test the safety and efficacy of salt formations in containing radionuclides.
New research from Ohio State University reveals that high-level nuclear waste storage materials will degrade faster than expected due to their interaction. The study found severe localized corrosion of glass, ceramics, and stainless steel under certain conditions, posing significant challenges for the current storage model.
Researchers at Diamond Light Source and University of Manchester discovered a novel uranium-sulfur complex under conditions found in the environment, which can aid in uranium immobilisation. This compound forms through biogeochemical reactions involving dissolved chemical species, mineral surfaces, and microorganisms.
University of Guelph researchers have developed a new tool for studying nuclear waste storage using antimatter. This breakthrough may help in designing safer underground vaults for permanent storage of radioactive waste. The study also reveals intriguing properties of clays that could be useful in other industries.
Researchers used physics-informed generative adversarial networks (GANs) to model subsurface flow in the Hanford Site, achieving exaflop performance. The approach enabled estimation of hydraulic conductivity and hydraulic head with high accuracy, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods.
Scientists have found a new stable form of plutonium with an unexpected pentavalent oxidation state, which may be crucial for improving the safety of radioactive waste storage. The discovery was made using advanced synchrotron X-ray methods and has significant implications for long-term nuclear waste management.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have developed an additive manufacturing method that enables the recycling of more nuclear waste, reducing storage time by almost one thousandfold. The breakthrough uses 3D-printed parts to separate highly radioactive actinide isotopes from rare earth metals.
Scientists are simulating nuclear waste disposal in the Grimsel rock laboratory to explore the stability of the geotechnical barrier bentonite. The research team inserted a small barrier system into a natural flow system and observed its behavior over four years, finding that the radionuclides moved but remained near the barrier.
Researchers at Penn State will investigate a new approach for removing rare-earth fission products from molten salt baths using liquid metals. The goal is to increase the recovery efficiency of rare-earth elements and minimize nuclear waste.
Researchers from the University of Houston and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are investigating what causes nuclear waste glass to dissolve over time. They found that zeolite crystals facilitate faster dissolution, and are exploring ways to slow or impede their formation.
The project, which began in 2014 with $5.25 million, aims to ensure safe disposal of nuclear waste for thousands or hundreds of thousands of years. Researchers are using multidisciplinary approaches to study the movement of radionuclides through soil and groundwater.
Researchers are assessing six types of low-permeable rock formations as potential barriers to isolate nuclear wastes. The goal is to understand how radioactive atoms and liquids move through these rock formations to enhance isolation.
A University of Houston engineer is leading a $800,000 project to improve the safety of storage containers for nuclear waste. The team will explore ways to reduce or avoid the degeneration of glass containers used to store radioactive waste.
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 at the University of Helsinki have developed a new method to purify nuclear waste water using electrospun sodium titanate, which speeds up the process and reduces radioactive waste. The method is based on selective ion exchange and has been shown to work like commercially produced materials.
A new study found that contaminated black plastic is entering consumer products due to inefficient recycling practices, posing a risk to human health. The researchers also discovered potential harm to marine environments through the spread of microplastics.
Researchers at PNNL have successfully vitrified three gallons of low-activity Hanford tank waste, immobilizing radioactive and chemical materials within a durable glass waste form. The laboratory-scale demonstration is an important step toward treating millions of gallons of hazardous waste generated during past plutonium production.
Researchers at University of Lincoln develop machine learning algorithms for self-learning robots in hazardous nuclear sites, increasing capabilities in waste handling and site monitoring. The project aims to build systems that can adapt to unique radiation conditions using vision-guided robot grasping, manipulation, and cutting.
The Sandia transport triathlon tested the safe transportation of spent nuclear fuel by combining data from three modes of transportation: truck, ship, and train. The test yielded valuable insights into the stresses experienced by fuel rods during routine handling and transportation.
Indiana University scientists have developed a new method to predict the effectiveness of molecules that extract toxic elements from the environment. The discovery could significantly reduce the volume of nuclear waste, as well as improve water purification and soil remediation techniques.
Physicists have developed a way to control high-energy particle emissions in an undulator device, which could potentially be used as a source of radiation for cancer treatment or nuclear waste processing. The new device produces a much higher level of radiation than traditional ones.
New research by Florida State University Professor Thomas Albrecht-Schmitt and his team reveals that a plutonium-organic hybrid compound behaves much like compounds made with lighter elements. The discovery sheds light on the electronic properties of plutonium, which could lead to breakthroughs in cleaning up nuclear waste.
Physicists at Brigham Young University have developed an acoustic technique called time reversal that uses targeted sound vibrations to knock over Lego figures. This technology has far-reaching implications for fields like private communication, targeted noise cancelation, and even medical treatments such as destroying kidney stones.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered a potential method for separating toxic elements from nuclear waste using arsenic molecules. The breakthrough, published in Nature Communications, could make nuclear waste clean-up safer and more effective.
A Washington State University study has improved understanding of challenging nuclear waste by analyzing the chemistry of technetium-99. The research could lead to better cleanup methods, particularly addressing difficult plutonium byproducts.
Research found elevated levels of uranium-234, thorium-230, lead-210 and polonium-210 in drill cuttings from Marcellus Shale wells. The study suggests that at low pH, uranium isotopes can leach into the environment from landfills.
Researchers have developed a simple process to create reactive actinide oxide nanocrystals, enabling the production of dense nuclear fuels and potential applications in waste management. This new approach could lead to more efficient and sustainable solutions for nuclear energy.
Researchers will investigate chemical reactions causing nuclear waste to change over time. The goal is to predict these changes and design effective methods for remediation and safe disposal of highly radioactive materials.
Scientists at EPFL have discovered a material that can absorb nuclear waste gases more efficiently, cheaply and safely than current methods. The material, SBMOF-1, is a nanoporous crystal that can separate xenon and krypton at room temperature.
Researchers created metallo-carbon neptunium compounds to study its fundamental structure and bonding properties. This work may aid in reducing the time for stored nuclear waste to decay safely and increase nuclear waste recycling.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have adapted solar energy technology to selectively remove americium from nuclear waste pools, making storage safer and nontoxic. The breakthrough solution also opens the door to expand one of the most efficient energy sources on the planet.
Researchers used neutron characterization techniques to study the nature of atomic motifs in complex metal oxides. They discovered a novel atomic disordering mechanism that challenges previous assumptions about their behavior under extreme environments.