Articles tagged with Radioactive Waste
Scientists at Diamond Light Source are pioneering research to make the nuclear fuel cycle safer, more efficient, and straightforward. They're developing new cement materials that can effectively contain radioactive waste for thousands of years.
The LDE facility at Diamond Light Source allows scientists to study material behavior over extended periods, revealing new insights into how materials interact on the atomic scale. The facility is currently supporting experiments on nuclear waste disposal, Arctic sea ice melting, and drug compound behavior.
New research from the University of Texas at Austin suggests that rock salt used to store nuclear waste may not be as impermeable as previously thought. Deformation of the salt can create connected pore networks that allow fluids to flow, making it a more significant concern for storage sites.
A recent study found that oily waste containing natural radionuclides can strongly alter the microbial community in soil, selecting for resistant species and affecting community function. The long-term effects of such contamination on soil health and function are still unclear.
Researchers are developing an electrochemical separation process to remove challenging elements like cesium and strontium from used nuclear fuel. This approach aims to create less waste, separate out nuclear waste for better management, and extend the life of electrolyte solutions.
Dr. Rodney Ewing has made significant contributions to the field of geoscience, bridging disciplines to develop new applications and advancing science through publications. He serves on various advisory committees and policy boards, providing timely leadership in the disposal of high-level radioactive waste.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield suggest that deep borehole disposal could dispose of all UK's high-level nuclear waste in just six boreholes, 5km deep. The concept has several advantages over current solutions, including reduced construction costs, easier site selection, and lower environmental impact.
A Clemson University-led research team aims to develop materials that can encase nuclear waste for safe storage. The project focuses on crystalline ceramic based on naturally occurring minerals that endure for millions of years.
Researchers have discovered bacteria that can survive in highly alkaline conditions expected in radioactive waste disposal sites and use isosaccharinic acid as a food source. These microbes may prevent the release of toxic radionuclides into the environment, offering a potential solution for safe nuclear waste disposal.
A team of chemists, led by Professor Thomas Albrecht-Schmitt at Florida State University, has made significant discoveries about the element californium. The findings suggest that californium can bond and separate other materials with remarkable abilities, making it resistant to radiation damage.
Researchers propose using shale formations as a potential solution for storing spent nuclear fuel due to their impermeable properties. This would minimize the risk of water contamination and ensure safe storage for tens or hundreds of thousands of years.
A £8 million project at the University of Leeds is developing new technologies to handle different types of spent fuels, packaging and storing waste, and dealing with nuclear sludges. The research consortium brings together academics, industry experts, and government advisors to tackle Britain's nuclear legacy.
Geologists are exploring shales as a potential site for America's spent nuclear fuel, with some formations showing natural groundwater pressure anomalies that can be analyzed on a large scale. A new computer model is also being developed to evaluate the behavior of various forms of nuclear waste and waste containers in different rocks.
Scientists have discovered a stable version of a 'trophy molecule' and found its bonding properties to be surprisingly similar to those of chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten. This finding could aid in the extraction and separation of radioactive material from nuclear waste.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a new method for storing UK's nuclear waste using glass technology. The process, called vitrification, has been shown to produce glass that is resistant to damage from energetic gamma rays.
Researchers found affluent men more likely to accept nuclear waste storage sites than women or economically disadvantaged individuals. The team analyzed local opinions on a Finnish nuclear waste repository and identified a 'white male effect,' highlighting the need for a more holistic approach to community involvement.
The Enriched Xenon Observatory 200 has detected no evidence of neutrinoless double-beta decay, ruling out a previous controversial result. The detector has also narrowed down the mass of the neutrino to less than 140-380 thousandths of an electronvolt.
A new paper by University of Notre Dame researchers describes a method for safely absorbing radioactive ions from nuclear waste streams using the NDTB-1 compound. The team has successfully removed approximately 96% of technetium (99Tc) from nuclear waste in laboratory studies.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh produced a previously unseen uranium molecule, which could help improve nuclear waste clean-up processes. The butterfly-shaped compound is robust and may play a role in forming clusters of radioactive material in waste.
A team of scientists found that plutonium clusters adhere more strongly to mineral surfaces than individual ions, which could help contain its spread into the environment. This strong adherence could minimize the leakage of nuclear waste from steel barrels.
Researchers at UNH's Space Science Center are developing a highly sensitive instrument to detect illicit radioactive materials with pinpoint accuracy. The Portable Neutron Spectroscope can identify hazardous nuclear materials by analyzing radiation patterns and velocity.
Countries with nuclear power programs need a medium-term strategy for spent fuel storage, according to Allison Macfarlane. The disposal of high-level nuclear waste is possible, but planning ahead is crucial to ensure public safety and sustainability.
A cost-effective method for coloring titanium using an electrochemical solution has been developed, enabling over 80 shades of basic colors and crack-free stability. The technology has potential applications in various industries, including healthcare, aviation, and the military.
Researchers use Closterium moniliferum algae to remove strontium, a major component of nuclear waste, by sequestering it in solid crystals. The algae's ability to differentiate between strontium and calcium can help isolate highly radioactive 'high-level' waste from 'low-level' waste.
The University of Cincinnati has developed a highly sensitive sensor combining electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and selective partitioning to detect compounds in low concentrations. The three-mode sensor has been tested in various settings, including nuclear waste storage tanks and superfund sites.
Green rust, a type of clay, has been found to effectively capture and contain neptunium, a radioactive waste product that poses a serious health risk. The discovery offers new insights into the disposal of radioactive waste and could lead to safer storage solutions.
The SRNL filter design uses a patented rotary microfilter to separate solid material from radioactive liquid waste, reducing costs and infrastructure for high-level waste disposal. The adapted system is now being tested at the Hanford Site and made available for other potential users.
A special White House panel on high-level radioactive waste needs to focus more on social and political acceptability. Public mistrust has fueled failed attempts to effectively work with those affected, and addressing this is crucial for developing a publicly acceptable solution.
A renewed federal effort to fix the nation's stalled nuclear waste program is focusing too much on technological issues, neglecting public mistrust. Social science experts warn that ignoring these concerns increases the chances of repeating past failures, such as Yucca Mountain.
In Europe, strategic cooperation on geological disposal of nuclear waste is crucial for its safe implementation. The IGD-TP platform facilitates stakeholder collaboration to resolve scientific, technological and social challenges.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new material that permanently traps only the desired radioactive ion, cesium, from a sodium-heavy solution. The synthetic material, made from layers of a gallium, sulfur and antimony compound, sequesters 100% of the cesium ions while ignoring all the sodium ions.
Researchers at MIT identified the cause of concrete creep and found a way to slow its rate, enabling ultra-high-density materials that can last hundreds of years. This breakthrough could lead to enormous cost-savings and reduced CO2 emissions in construction.
Physicists at the University of Texas at Austin have designed a system that uses fusion to eliminate most of the transuranic waste produced by nuclear power plants. This invention could help combat global warming by making nuclear power a more viable replacement for carbon-heavy energy sources.
Research focuses on transport phenomena in heterogeneous media, exploring anomalous transport and its role in hydrogeology. The study highlights the importance of concentration tails in assessing radioactive waste disposal reliability.
Sandia scientists train Iraqi professionals to clean up radioactively contaminated sites and safely dispose of radioactive wastes. The program focuses on characterization, cleanup, dismantling nuclear facilities, waste management, and waste disposal at the Al Tuwaitha nuclear complex.
The DIAMOND consortium aims to address the £70 billion cost of decommissioning UK nuclear sites through research and innovation. The project will also provide training for the next generation of nuclear waste specialists to combat an EU-wide skills gap.
A team of Northwestern University chemists has developed a new metal sulfide material, KMS-1, that can effectively remove strontium, a major component of nuclear waste, by exploiting its unique properties. The material works across the pH scale and outperforms existing methods in terms of selectivity and efficiency.
A new study by the Institute for Policy Studies reveals significant concerns about GNEP's practicability and potential waste disposal issues. The report concludes that the program is unlikely to succeed due to unprecedented radioactive waste generation and unmanageable risks.
The device developed by PNNL scientists provides a fully automated prototype process monitor with microwave-assisted sample pretreatment and flexible chemical separations capabilities. It enables fast analysis of alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides in liquid solutions, providing near real-time feedback on process performance.
A team from the University of Cambridge and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory reported that minerals intended to entrap nuclear waste may break down within 1,400 years due to radiation. The study used NMR to show that plutonium incorporation into mineral zircon rapidly degrades its crystal structure.
A new study suggests that increasing nuclear power production by a factor of three to ten could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but comes with significant drawbacks including massive nuclear waste generation and proliferation risks. The study's author emphasizes the need for a complete picture when choosing energy sources.
PNNL researchers have developed a continuous monitoring system that quickly generates real-time data and analysis of high-level radioactive waste. The system can quantify levels of various anions and is adaptable to harsh environments.
Researchers used passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags to assess fluid motion in simulated radioactive waste without sampling. The technique improved mixing technology for the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant's large-scale operation.
Researchers found that caustic soils at Hanford can trap radioactive cesium and strontium, forming stable minerals like zeolites and feldspathoids. This discovery may aid in remediation efforts by slowing down the migration of toxic waste into groundwater.
According to Rutgers sociologist, the DOE's Long Term Stewardship program ignores worst-case scenarios, fails to consider public disasters. The agency relies on flawed engineering barriers and institutional rules to mitigate risks, according to Clarke.
Researchers found widespread zeolites across Yucca Mountain, abundant at a depth considered ideal for waste storage. A combination of man-made safeguards and natural features is necessary to prevent waste migration.
A staged development concept for Yucca Mountain aims to allow decisions based on latest available information, avoiding rigid timelines. A pilot stage will study performance before storing large amounts of radioactive waste.
Scientists at Purdue University have made breakthroughs in understanding the chemistry of aluminum and sodium compounds in high-level radioactive waste. Their study documents the transformation of liquid to solid waste, shedding light on how to minimize nuclear waste volume and predict leakage.
A new extraction process, known as Universal Extractant (UNEX), has been developed to remove multiple radioactive elements from high-level nuclear waste in a single step. This process reduces the volume of waste by at least twentyfold, making it cheaper and safer to store.
University of Michigan professor Rodney Ewing argues that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's method for assessing the Yucca Mountain site's safety is flawed due to large uncertainties. He proposes a more comprehensive approach by evaluating independent barriers, such as canisters and rock layers, to ensure the site's long-term safety.
A nonradioactive substitute for 'screamingly radioactive' storage tanks has been developed to aid in nuclear waste clean-up, potentially saving hundreds of millions of dollars. The synthetic sludge mimics the deadly sludge found in underground nuclear waste storage tanks and can be handled safely by lab workers.
The Decontamination, Decommissioning, and Remediation Optimal Planning System (DDROPS) simulates facility decontamination and waste minimization. This software optimizes cutting and packaging of debris to reduce radiation exposure risk and disposal costs.
Professor Lynda Warren argues that local residents' opinions are distorted by political rhetoric and underestimated by the industry. She calls for increased transparency and involvement from politicians and companies to address public fears about radioactive waste.
According to Professor Bernard Cohen, nuclear power plants emit fewer carcinogens and pollutants compared to coal burning power stations. This results in a much lower fatality rate, with air pollution from coal causing 25 fatalities per minute versus only 0.018 for nuclear.
The special issue of Interdisciplinary Science Reviews explores various aspects of radioactive waste disposal, including geological disposal, natural analogues, and engineered barriers. Leading experts from different fields share their knowledge to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex problem.
Scientists are investigating the hydrogeology of the West Siberian Basin to better track and predict the future path of radioactive waste from nuclear weapons material production. This research aims to inform remediation strategies at three former plutonium production sites, influencing both human health and ecosystem safety.
A new technique using electricity instead of chemicals to drive chemical separation processes could greatly reduce waste byproducts at the Hanford nuclear site. The method, being tested for large-scale cleanup efforts, has shown promise in reducing radioactive waste and hazardous byproducts.