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Categories: Energy: Nuclear
Published Much more than a world first image of radioactive cesium atoms (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Thirteen years after the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP), a breakthrough in analysis has permitted a world first: direct imaging of radioactive cesium (Cs) atoms in environmental samples.
Published The case for sharing carbon storage risk (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Even the most optimistic projections for the rapid build-out of solar, wind, and other low-carbon resources acknowledge that coal, natural gas, and other fossil fuels will dominate the world's energy mix for decades to come. If the vast greenhouse gas emissions from burning these fossil fuels continue to enter the planet's atmosphere, global warming will not be limited to sustainable levels. The capture and geologic sequestration of carbon emissions (CCS) offer a promising solution to the world's carbon conundrum.
Published New Nevada experiments will improve monitoring of nuclear explosions (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
On an October morning in 2023, a chemical explosion detonated in a tunnel under the Nevada desert was the launch of the next set of experiments by the National Nuclear Security Administration, with the goal to improve detection of low-yield nuclear explosions around the world.
Published Atomic nucleus excited with laser: a breakthrough after decades (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
For the first time, the state of an atomic nucleus was switched with a laser. For decades, physicists have been looking for such a nuclear transition -- now it has been found. This opens up a new field of research with many technological applications. Now, nuclei can be used for extremely precise measurements. For example, a nuclear clock could be built that could measure time more precisely than the best atomic clocks available today.
Published Researchers advance detection of gravitational waves to study collisions of neutron stars and black holes (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Researchers co-led a study that will improve the detection of gravitational waves--ripples in space and time.
Published Major milestone reached for key weapons component (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Scientists have completed a crucial weapons component development milestone, prior to full rate production.
Published New beta-decay measurements in mirror nuclei pin down the weak nuclear force (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Scientists have gained insights into the weak nuclear force from new, more sensitive studies of the beta decays of the 'mirror' nuclei lithium-8 and boron-8. The weak nuclear force drives the process of nuclear beta decay. The research found that the properties of the beta decays of lithium-8 and boron-8 are in perfect agreement with the predictions of the Standard Model.
Published Creating an island paradise in a fusion reactor (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
In their ongoing quest to develop a range of methods for managing plasma so it can be used to generate electricity in a process known as fusion, researchers have shown how two old methods can be combined to provide greater flexibility.
Published With inspiration from 'Tetris,' researchers develop a better radiation detector (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
A new detector system based on the game 'Tetris' could enable inexpensive, accurate radiation detectors for monitoring nuclear sites.
Published Researchers discover 'neutronic molecules' (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Researchers have discovered 'neutronic' molecules, in which neutrons can be made to cling to quantum dots, held just by the strong force. The finding may lead to new tools for probing material properties at the quantum level and exploring new kinds of quantum information processing devices.
Published Nuclear fusion, lithium and the tokamak: Adding just enough fuel to the fire (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Building upon recent findings showing the promise of coating the inner surface of the vessel containing a fusion plasma in liquid lithium, researchers have determined the maximum density of uncharged particles at the edge of a plasma before certain instabilities become unpredictable. The research includes observations, numerical simulations and analysis from their experiments inside a fusion plasma vessel called the Lithium Tokamak Experiment-Beta (LTX- ). This is the first time such a level has been established for LTX- , and knowing it is a big step in their mission to prove lithium is the ideal choice for an inner-wall coating in a tokamak because it guides them toward the best practices for fueling their plasmas.
Published Plasma oscillations propel breakthroughs in fusion energy (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Researchers have discovered a new class of plasma oscillations -- the back-and-forth, wave-like movement of electrons and ions. The research paves the way for improved particle accelerators and commercial fusion energy.
Published AI for astrophysics: Algorithms help chart the origins of heavy elements (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
The origin of heavy elements in our universe is theorized to be the result of neutron star collisions, which produce conditions hot and dense enough for free neutrons to merge with atomic nuclei and form new elements in a split-second window of time. Testing this theory and answering other astrophysical questions requires predictions for a vast range of masses of atomic nuclei. Scientists are using machine learning algorithms to successfully model the atomic masses of the entire nuclide chart -- the combination of all possible protons and neutrons that defines elements and their isotopes.
Published Preventing magnet meltdowns before they can start (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
High-temperature superconductor magnets have the potential to lower the costs of operating particle accelerators and enable powerful new technologies like fusion reactors. But quenches -- the sudden, destructive events wherein a part of the material loses superconductivity -- are a major barrier to their deployment. Scientists have developed an approach to prevent quenches altogether, rather than simply trying to manage them after they occur.
Published One way to improve a fusion reaction: Use weaknesses as strengths (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Scientists are embracing imperfection, using less-than-ideal magnetic fields to make the plasma more manageable.
Published Laser-focused look at spinning electrons shatters world record for precision (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Nuclear physicists have shattered a nearly 30-year-old record for precision in electron beam polarimetry. The groundbreaking result sets the stage for high-profile experiments that could open the door to new physics discoveries.
Published Measuring neutrons to reduce nuclear waste (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Nuclear power is considered one of the ways to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but how to deal with nuclear waste products is a concern. Radioactive waste products can be turned into more stable elements, but this process is not yet viable at scale. New research reveals a method to more accurately measure, predict and model a key part of the process to make nuclear waste more stable. This could lead to improved nuclear waste treatment facilities and also to new theories about how some heavier elements in the universe came to be.
Published New nuclei can help shape our understanding of fundamental science on Earth and in the cosmos (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
In creating five new isotopes, scientists have brought the stars closer to Earth. The isotopes are known as thulium-182, thulium-183, ytterbium-186, ytterbium-187 and lutetium-190.
Published Astronomy observation instrument used to uncover internal structure of atomic nuclei (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Researchers have used equipment originally intended for astronomy observation to capture transformations in the nuclear structure of atomic nuclei, reports a new study.
Published New method to more accurately spot underground nuclear tests (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
A more accurate way of identifying underground nuclear tests, including those conducted in secret, has been developed.