Popular Science Magazine: Two Next-Gen Nukes

A great article detailing thorium molten salt reactors published by Popular Science Magazine: "One pound of thorium produces as much power as 300 pounds of uranium--or 3.5 million pounds of coal." http://www.popsci.com/technolo​gy/article/2011-06/next-gen-nu​ke-designs-promise-safe-effici​ent-emissions-free-energy

A Is For Atom (1952)

A wonderful retro animated movie presenting what an atom is, how atomic energy is released, the peacetime applications of atomic energy and the byproducts of nuclear fission! an excellent cartoon that's both very entertaining and surprisingly informative considering it was made in 1952-1953... I am also quite amazed by the clarity of presentation of this complicated material, an excellent educational tool that can't be found too often these days... Most of the film's predictions are already a reality with nuclear planes and trains almost there (http://www.barentsobserver.com/russia-designs-nuclear-train.4889648-16180.html)... Great stuff! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi-ItrJISQE

25T, world-largest split-magnet, makes its debut!

25T !!!, world-largest split-magnet, makes its debut, I bet it won't be too long before such magnets used routinely at neutron scattering beam lines: http://www.fsu.com/Videos/Rese​arch/Mag-Lab-does-the-impossib​le

... also check out: http://www.fsu.com/Feature​d-Stories/25-tesla-world-r​ecord-split-magnet-makes-i​ts-debut

Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Canada

Interesting data: did you know between 1990 and 2008, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia experienced the largest growth in greenhouse gas emissions: 72.8%, 42.8% and 32.0%, respectively!!! http://www.ec.gc.ca/indicateur​s-indicators/default.asp?lang=​en&n=444DC5FC-1 .... also did you know Canada produces about 20% of the total emission in the world: http://www.ec.gc.ca/indicateur​s-indicators/default.asp?lang=​en&n=042EDE8E-1 ... and for those who wonder what is the source of these emissions, check out: http://www.ec.gc.ca/indicateur​s-indicators/default.asp?lang=​En&n=995C74D1-1 and guess what: "Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are mostly due to our heavy use of fossil fuels for transportation, electricity production, oil and gas extraction, heating, and other energy-related areas."!!! could nuclear energy make a difference???

India pursuing partnership with Canada to sell nuclear reactors

India is pursuing partnership with Canada to sell nuclear reactors not in India but third countries: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/​story/2011/07/17/cda-india-can​ada-nuclear.html ... Indian High Commissioner: "We have our own technology. I don't know if we are really looking at buying another reactor from Canada, but certainly we are looking forward to co-operation with Canada," he said. "Joint ventures, maybe we could work together on research ... the agreement actually provides for all of that."

After the sale of CANDU, now what?

Interesting read looking forward asking question what happens to the future builds and refurbishments now that the sale of Candu is completed: http://canadianenergyissues.co​m/2011/07/18/candu-back-in-the​-game-what-now/

For climate’s sake, nuclear power is not an ‘option’, it is a ‘necessity’

A great read by Barry Brook, Director of Climate Science at the University of Adelaide (Australia), on why "For climate’s sake, nuclear power is not an ‘option’, it is a ‘necessity’" with detailed arguments, lots of great references for further reading, graphics and videos: http://bravenewclimate.com/201​1/07/17/nuclear-climate-necessity/ "Our sustainable energy future depends critically on choices made today. Some countries in the developed and developing world has already made their choice – for them, the only open question is, how big will their nuclear programmes get? For most others, there remains great uncertainty. I urge green groups to become rational ‘Promethean environmentalists’ – ecopragmatists – and support all forms of low-carbon energy such that they can work together and compete on a fair and level playing field to displace coal, gas and oil as quickly as possible. There may be no silver bullet for solving the climate and energy crises, but there are bullets, and two are made of uranium and thorium. As Ben Heard and I say in our sustainable energy choices video, we have to choose to act – now."

Also check out this 2-part article by him on why renewable energy, from sunlight, wind, waves and plant life cannot fix the energy and climate crises: http://bravenewclimate.com​/2011/05/09/renewables-are​-not-sufficient-p1/ and http://bravenewclimate.com​/2011/05/12/renewables-are​-not-sufficient-p2/ "Nuclear power, not renewable energy or energy efficiency, will probably end up being the primary global solution to the climate and energy crises. This is the emergent result of trying to be honest, logical and pragmatic about what will and will not work, within real-world physical, economic and social constraints."

Happy 40th birthday, ILL

ILL turns 40 and still going strong with its neutron flux, its neutron scattering instrumentation, great science it produces and its commitment for excellent staff and proper funding for facility!!! Happy 40th birthday, ILL http://physicsworld.com/blog/2​011/07/happy_fortieth_birthday​_ill.html

Assessing the AECL sale

Would you like to know what your MPs in PC, Liberal and NDP think about the sale of AECL, here is a great short video of MPs Mike Lake, Peter Julian and David McGuinty discussing the sale of Atomic Energy of Canada's commercial reactor division to SNC-Lavalin, what do you think? http://video.aol.com/video/ass​essing-the-aecl-sale/188739044​7

Expansion of NIST Centre for Neutron Research presses on

amazing photos of the expansion of NIST Centre for Neutron Research! it all looks great and on time, can't wait to go back for more experiments there, check out photos and more related to expansion here: http://www.ncnr.nist.gov/expan​sion2/yqims2/ ... note that in 2009 the NCNR reactor was relicensed to continue operation until July 2029: http://www.nist.gov/ncnr/ncnr_​071409.cfm ... also interesting to note that the reactor became operational in 1967-68 only 10 years after NRU came on line... Great work maintaining and expanding the reactor and neutron scattering group there been producing great science already for many years and will be for many more to come, great job!