Unmaking the Bomb

Unmaking the Bomb

Author: Harold A. Feiveson

Publisher: MIT Press

Published: 2016-09-02

Total Pages: 293

ISBN-13: 0262529726

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A new approach to nuclear disarmament, nonproliferation, and the prevention of nuclear terrorism that focuses on controlling the production and stockpiling of nuclear materials. Achieving nuclear disarmament, stopping nuclear proliferation, and preventing nuclear terrorism are among the most critical challenges facing the world today. Unmaking the Bomb proposes a new approach to reaching these long-held goals. Rather than considering them as separate issues, the authors—physicists and experts on nuclear security—argue that all three of these goals can be understood and realized together if we focus on the production, stockpiling, and disposal of plutonium and highly enriched uranium—the fissile materials that are the key ingredients used to make nuclear weapons. The authors describe the history, production, national stockpiles, and current military and civilian uses of plutonium and highly enriched uranium, and propose policies aimed at reducing and eventually eliminating these fissile materials worldwide. These include an end to the production of highly enriched uranium and plutonium for weapons, an end to their use as reactor fuels, and the verified elimination of all national stockpiles.


Advances in High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Fuel Technology

Advances in High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Fuel Technology

Author: International Atomic Energy Agency

Publisher:

Published: 2012-06

Total Pages: 639

ISBN-13: 9789201253101

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This publication reports on the results of a coordinated research project on advances in high temperature gas cooled reactor (HTGR) fuel technology and describes the findings of research activities on coated particle developments. These comprise two specific benchmark exercises with the application of HTGR fuel performance and fission product release codes, which helped compare the quality and validity of the computer models against experimental data. The project participants also examined techniques for fuel characterization and advanced quality assessment/quality control. The key exercise included a round-robin experimental study on the measurements of fuel kernel and particle coating properties of recent Korean, South African and US coated particle productions applying the respective qualification measures of each participating Member State. The summary report documents the results and conclusions achieved by the project and underlines the added value to contemporary knowledge on HTGR fuel.


Nuclear Terrorism and Global Security

Nuclear Terrorism and Global Security

Author: Alan J. Kuperman

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2013-04-17

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 1135105863

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This book examines the prospects and challenges of a global phase-out of highly enriched uranium—and the risks of this material otherwise being used by terrorists to make atom bombs. Terrorist groups, such as Al Qaeda, have demonstrated repeatedly that they seek to acquire nuclear weapons. Unbeknownst even to many security specialists, tons of bomb-grade uranium are trafficked legally each year for ostensibly peaceful purposes. If terrorists obtained even a tiny fraction of this bomb-grade uranium they could potentially construct a nuclear weapon like the one dropped on Hiroshima that killed tens of thousands. Nuclear experts and policymakers have long known of this danger but – so far – have taken only marginal steps to address it. This volume begins by highlighting the lessons of past successes where bomb-grade uranium commerce has been eliminated, such as from Argentina’s manufacture of medical isotopes. It then explores the major challenges that still lie ahead: for example, Russia’s continued use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) in dozens of nuclear facilities. Each of the book’s thirteen case studies offers advice for reducing HEU in a specific sector. These insights are then amalgamated into nine concrete policy recommendations for U.S. and world leaders to promote a global phase-out of bomb-grade uranium. This book will be of much interest to students of nuclear proliferation, global governance, international relations and security studies.


Characterization and Testing of Materials for Nuclear Reactors

Characterization and Testing of Materials for Nuclear Reactors

Author: International Atomic Energy Agency

Publisher:

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 158

ISBN-13:

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Industrial growth, energy consumption are seen as measures towards economic developments. With increase in industrial development worldwide, the demand of energy is continually on the rise. Today, the energy industry is facing many challenges. Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion are seen as important future energy sources. Development of innovative reactor designs with large efficiency for fuel burn up is one of the needs of fission reactors. The materials resistant to high dose of radiations in fusion reactors is another major challenge. The production of electricity without global warming is an important pressing demand on the energy sector. The demands on quality control of components for nuclear and heavy industry are very stringent. Development of well characterized, high quality materials is therefore essential for safe, efficient and reliable operation of engineering components. The diagnosis of failure of machinery parts comes from the post operational characterization of materials. Various destructive and non-destructive techniques are used for this purpose. Research reactors have played an important role in non-destructive characterization of materials and have contributed to technology development. This publication focuses on characterization of materials for industries in general and nuclear energy sector in particular. The main focus is on research reactor based techniques with some discussion on other allied methods like positron annihilation.--Publisher's description.


Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1970-06

Total Pages: 116

ISBN-13:

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The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is the premier public resource on scientific and technological developments that impact global security. Founded by Manhattan Project Scientists, the Bulletin's iconic "Doomsday Clock" stimulates solutions for a safer world.


Status of Fast Reactor Research and Technology Development

Status of Fast Reactor Research and Technology Development

Author: International Atomic Energy Agency

Publisher:

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781523130191

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"Based on a recommendation from the Technical Working Group on Fast Reactors, this publication is a regular update of previous publications on fast reactor technology. The publication provides comprehensive and detailed information on the technology of fast neutron reactors. The focus is on practical issues that are useful to engineers, scientists, managers, university students and professors. The main issues of discussion are experience in design, construction, operation and decommissioning, various areas of research and development, engineering, safety and national strategies, and public acceptance of fast reactors. In the summary the reader will find national strategies, international initiatives on innovative (i.e. Generation IV) systems and an assessment of public acceptance as related to fast reactors."--Résumé de l'éditeur.