Showing 20 articles starting at article 121
Categories: Energy: Nuclear
Published Researchers reveal the origin story for carbon-12, a building block for life
(via sciencedaily.com) After running simulations on the world's most powerful supercomputer, an international team of researchers has developed a theory for the nuclear structure and origin of carbon-12, the stuff of life. The theory favors the production of carbon-12 in the cosmos.
Published Confirmed: Atmospheric helium levels are rising
(via sciencedaily.com) Scientists used an unprecedented technique to detect that levels of helium are rising in the atmosphere, resolving an issue that has lingered among atmospheric chemists for decades.
Published Researchers design simpler magnets for twisty facilities that could lead to steady-state fusion operation
(via sciencedaily.com) Scientists have used a mathematical technique to design powerful magnets with straighter shapes for stellarator fusion facilities, allowing for easier manufacturing and maintenance.
Published Solar beats nuclear at many potential settlement sites on Mars
(via sciencedaily.com) While most missions to the moon and other planets rely upon solar power, scientists have assumed that any extended surface mission involving humans would require a more reliable source of energy: nuclear power. Improvements in photovoltaics are upending this calculus. A new study concludes that a solar power system would weigh less than a nuclear system, and would be sufficient to power a colony at sites over nearly half the surface.
Published New production method promises to end medical radioisotope shortages
(via sciencedaily.com) Technetium-99m is the world's most commonly used medical radioisotope, but regularly suffers from supply chain shortages, threatening the ability of doctors to diagnose a raft of ailments. But an alternative production technique looks set to make the radioisotope much more easily produced.
Published Validating models for next-generation fusion facilities
(via sciencedaily.com) The National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) could serve as the model for a fusion energy pilot plant.
Published Most precise ever measurement of W boson mass to be in tension with the Standard Model
(via sciencedaily.com) Scientists have achieved the most precise measurement to date of the mass of the W boson, one of nature's force-carrying particles. The measured value shows tension with the value expected based on the Standard Model of particle physics.
Published Physicists 'shine' light on inner details and breakup of simple nucleus
(via sciencedaily.com) Scientists have found a new way to 'see' inside the simplest atomic nuclei to better understand the 'glue' that holds the building blocks of matter together. The results come from collisions of photons (particles of light) with deuterons, the simplest atomic nuclei (made of just one proton bound to one neutron). The photons act somewhat like an x-ray beam to provide the first glimpse of how particles called gluons are arranged within the deuteron.
Published New pumpkin shaped nucleus radiates protons with record setting rate
(via sciencedaily.com) A new atomic nucleus 149-Lutetium, consisting of 71 protons and 78 neutrons, has been synthesized.
Published Nuclear reactor power levels can be monitored using seismic and acoustic data
(via sciencedaily.com) Seismic and acoustic data recorded 50 meters away from a research nuclear reactor could predict whether the reactor was in an on or off state with 98% accuracy, according to a new study.
Published Selecting the right structural materials for fusion reactors
(via sciencedaily.com) Do two promising structural materials corrode at very high temperatures when in contact with 'liquid metal fuel breeders' in fusion reactors? Researchers now have the answer. This high-temperature compatibility of reactor structural materials with the liquid breeder -- a lining around the reactor core that absorbs and traps the high energy neutrons produced in the plasma inside the reactor -- is key to the success of a fusion reactor design.
Published Self-sustained divertor oscillation mechanism identified in fusion plasma experiment
(via sciencedaily.com) To harness the forces that power the Sun, researchers heat fuel to such a high temperature that atoms melt into electrons and nuclei to form a hot, gaseous soup called plasma. The plasma can rip through any material on Earth, so it must be confined by magnetic fields -- but it can only be controlled for short periods. Now, in a first step to prolonged control, researchers have discovered that the underlying mechanism mirrors the unlikely biological predator-prey model.
Published Deep neural network to find hidden turbulent motion on the sun
(via sciencedaily.com) Scientists developed a neural network deep learning technique to extract hidden turbulent motion information from observations of the Sun. Tests on three different sets of simulation data showed that it is possible to infer the horizontal motion from data for the temperature and vertical motion. This technique will benefit solar astronomy and other fields such as plasma physics, fusion science, and fluid dynamics.
Published Ushering in safe, low-carbon electricity generated by nuclear fusion
(via sciencedaily.com) Engineers are working to develop a new, economically viable and safe source of low carbon electricity through nuclear fusion.
Published Chaining atoms together yields quantum storage
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Data stored in spin states of ytterbium atoms can be transferred to surrounding atoms in a crystal matrix.
Published Graphene and an intense laser open the door to the extreme
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A research team has developed a large-area suspended graphene and irradiated the thinnest graphene target with an ultra-intense laser to realize high-energy ion acceleration. Their findings will be applied to the development of compact, efficient ion accelerators used for cancer treatment, nuclear fusion and so on.