Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) have examined the cladding tubes of nuclear reactor fuel rods using a new 3D imaging technique. This allowed them to determine with the highest precision how their quality changes over time due to corrosion and radiation exposure. The oxide layer of the tubes proved to be intact even after years of operation. This can be demonstrated with the new method… Read more »
A nuclear winter is a theoretical concept. However, if the climate scenario expected for a major nuclear war, in which smoke and soot from firestorms block sunlight, were to occur, global temperatures would plummet and a large portion of agricultural operations would be destroyed. A nuclear winter could last for more than a decade and potentially lead to widespread famine for those who depend on it… Read more »
For seven months, the Federal Company for Interim Storage (BGZ) artificially aged fuel rods in a hot cell as part of a research project. In the next step, these rods will be experimentally examined. The data obtained will provide further insights into the behavior of irradiated fuel elements from nuclear power plant operation. These insights are of great importance for the extended interim storage of high-level radioactive waste.… Read more »
With the help of new EU funding, the Helmholtz Centre Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) aims to explore ways to recycle components of nuclear waste using novel separation processes. This is because old nuclear fuel contains important raw materials, not only for nuclear energy. The recently approved project, "MaLaR – Novel 2D-3D Materials for Lanthanide Recovery from nuclear waste," will receive €2,3 million in funding over the next three years. ... Read more »
