Dr Carsten Schwandt from the Department of Materials Science and
Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge, UK, looks at the reprocessing
of spent oxide nuclear fuel.
Brian Hall, Materials Project Engineer at the Westinghouse Materials
Center of Excellence, USA, describes new initiatives to extend nuclear
plant service-life.
Ever since 2007, when EDF Energy and AREVA submitted a joint application
to build a new type of nuclear reactor in the UK, the complex design of
the UK European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) has been the subject of
intense scrutiny.
A new high-technology coating has the potential to significantly reduce
the manufacturing costs of new-generation solar photovoltaic cells and
other optoelectronic devices.
Grid-connected, battery-based energy storage systems have many
benefits, including renewable energy integration, enhanced grid capacity
and improved power quality. Recognising these advantages, some of the
world’s largest power equipment OEMs are developing turnkey energy
storage products.
Increasing world population and improved standards of living have
led to a rise in demand for renewable and nuclear sources for fuel.
Kevin Hesketh and Jeremy Davison of the UK’s National Nuclear
Laboratory examine the potential of uranium and plutonium as energy
sources.
