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did
you know: "Nuclear power now accounts for nearly 14% of electricity
generated in the world with 440 active reactors in 30 countries,
according to the World Nuclear Association (WNA). Six countries, the
United States, France, Japan, Russia, Germany and South Korea, account
for three-quarters of the energy so generated." see nice graphics here: http://news.sympatico.cbc.ca/world/contentposting/the_role_of_nuclear_power_in_the_world/bcb64876
Here are a couple of good articles to learn more about how nuclear fuel is used for space missions and its history: http://www.space.com/12118-space-nuclear-power-50-years-transit-4a.html ..., see also: http://www.space.com/13709-plutonium-shortage-nasa-planetary-science-future.html
...."Plutonium-238, which is different than the type of plutonium used
in nuclear weapons, emits heat that is converted into electricity. The
material has been particularly useful on missions that venture into the
outer solar system, where the scant sunlight cannot effectively be
harnessed using solar panels."
Parliament
session: Nov. 21, 2011, neutron scattering at CRL is mentioned in a
speech by the Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke member of Parliament, Mrs.
Cheryl Gallant: http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Mode=1&Pub=hansard&Language=E
This is the part related to neutron scattering: "Using the technique
that Brockhouse pioneered, the NRC Canadian Neutron Beam Centre at NRU
today enables scientists from across Canada and around the world to
investigate new materials with neutrons. In fact, after the tragedy with
the space shuttle Challenger, NASA commissioned the Canadian Neutron
Beam Centre to determine whether or not it was a seal that caused the
accident.
Dr. Dominic Ryan, president of the Canadian Institute
for Neutron Scattering, outlined that the NRC-CNBC in Chalk River is
Canada's scientific hub for research using neutron beams as probes of
materials. Since everything is made of material, even our own bodies,
materials research using neutron beams has a broad range of
applications."
This is the full speech:
"Mrs. Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, CPC): next intervention
Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Willowdale.
It is my pleasure on behalf of the people of
Renfrew--Nipissing--Pembroke to speak in support of the legislation
before us, the keeping Canada's economy and jobs growing act.
The decision by the people of Canada to vote in favour of a strong,
stable, majority government was our mandate to get on with the job of
providing Canadians with good government.
This
is a great document describing the history of the NIST reactor and
neutron program over the past 50 years, the full pdf could be found at: http://www.ncnr.nist.gov/NCNRHistory_Rush_Cappelletti.pdf by Jack Rush (a NIST Senior Fellow (Emeritus) and was the leader of neutron scattering research at the NCNR for 35
years) and Ron Cappelletti (Professor of Physics (Emeritus), Ohio
University, has worked as a physicist at the NCNR since 1999): "This
brief history will attempt to place the NBSR and its evolution into the
most heavily used and productive neutron source in the United States
within the perspective of events of the last half of the twentieth
century which greatly influenced the need for large facilities in
American science and technology (and at NBS)."
Jeff
Lynn wins Presidential Rank Award for his many contributions to
condensed matter physics. Congratulations Jeff, this is richly deserved!
http://www.ncnr.nist.gov/news/Lynn_Presidential_Rank_Award.html
Nuclear-powered
Mars Rover ready for launch: "it’s does not have solar panels, and
that’s because it does not need them. NASA has opted for a more reliable
miniature nuclear battery to serve as Curiosity’s main power
source."... "A few days before the rover's scheduled launch on November
25, NASA scientists will install the Multi-Mission Radioisotope
Thermoelectric Generator. The generator is equipped
with thermocouples that convert the heat generated from the natural
decay of the plutonium dioxide into electricity. The power supply can
provide Curiosity with a constant 110 watts of electricity that will
allow the rover to travel farther than previous rovers and use more
powerful analytical tools, all while continuously recharging its
batteries." http://www.pcworld.com/article/242302/the_next_mars_rover_is_nuclearpowered.html , see also: http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN_One_week_to_go_for_nuclear_rover_1811111.html
Cobalt-60
at 60: The Legacy of Saskatchewan’s Innovative Cancer Treatment, an
open-house event on December 4, 2011... seems a great event with a great
panel discussion after the official opening ceremony: "Following the
formal opening ceremony, the WDM has organized, in partnership with the
University of Saskatchewan, a discussion by a panel of experts from the
field of nuclear medicine on the legacy of the cobalt bomb. Speakers
will include Dr. Paul Babyn, Dr. John Root and Dr. L. Dean Chapman from
the U of S in Saskatoon, and Dr. David Pantalony from the Canada Science
and Technology Museum, Ottawa."... check out the details: http://wdm.ca/stoon/cobalt_opening.html
SNC-Lavalin
is forecasting profits for its Candu Energy sector next year:
"SNC-Lavalin is forecasting operating profits for its Candu Energy
sector next year, a month after completing the acquisition of the
commercial division of the Atomic Energy of Canada.
“Despite the
challenge we face, we are confident that Candu Energy is well-positioned
for 2012 given the opportunities in this sector as well as the quality and professionalism of our new 1,400 personnel,” CEO Pierre Duhaime said Friday in a conference call.
The company took on more workers than originally forecast, in part,
because it won a contract to upgrade Argentina’s 27-year-old Embalse
generating station. The $440-million deal followed five years of
discussions. The total refurbishment will cost more than US$1.3 billion
and take some five years to complete. Additional projects are possible
in Ontario and Quebec, along with new build construction opportunities
in Romania, Jordan and Ontario." read more: http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/design-engineering/news/snc-bullish-on-nuclear-division-46511
CANDUs
can be more flexible than natural gas-fired & hydro generation:
"New nuclear build in Ontario will be highly manoeuvrable with a
dispatchable power range wider than gas or coal and could even have
dispatching preference over hydro. See Appendix which describes the
operation of the Ontario grid." read more: http://canadianenergyissues.com/2011/11/09/ontarios-nuclear-electric-generation-can-be-more-flexible-than-natural-gas-fired-generation/
"Nothing in life is to be
feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more,
so that we may fear less." Marie Curie
A
must see: "At TED2010, Bill Gates unveils his vision for the world's
energy future, describing the need for "miracles" to avoid planetary
catastrophe and explaining why he's backing a dramatically different
type of nuclear reactor. The necessary goal? Zero carbon emissions
globally by 2050." http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/bill_gates.html
This is also a must see,
Nuclear Energy After Fukushima: "in a video broadcast to the
International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation, Bill discusses
what governments and the private sector can do to increase the role of
nuclear power in delivering safe, affordable, and clean energy to the
world – and especially to the poor." http://www.thegatesnotes.com/Topics/Energy/Nuclear-Energy-After-Fukushima
Wow
it is incredible: it has been 103 years since Lord Ernest Rutherford
was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research on the
chemistry of radioactive substances in Oct. 1908. Here (http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ernest_Rutherford)
is a nice bio for "father" of nuclear physics. Among quotes referred to
him, I love this one the best!:) "All science is either physics or
stamp collecting" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Rutherford)
Meanwhile
CANDU business continues: "Companies that supply parts for Candu
nuclear plants say a new contract to refurbish a reactor in Argentina
will mean $100 million worth of business for them.
The newly
privatized arm of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), Candu Energy,
signed the $400-million deal with Argentina in August to overhaul a
Candu reactor that has been providing electricity in Argentina since
1984.
Companies that make up the supply chain for Candu say the contract will keep skilled jobs in Canada." http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/10/08/candu-reactor-argentina.html
Chalk
River Nuclear Labs will receive more funding in the budget: "Another
$200 million — on top of nearly $250 million previously approved — will
be coughed up for Atomic Energy of Canada Limited's research
laboratories and the Chalk River facility that are still a part of the
financially troubled Crown corporation.": http://www.canada.com/life/Feds+hook+million+sold+AECL+reactor+division/5654186/story.html
AECL
gets new chief executive, chairman: it is great to have a scientist
leading the laboratories especially in these crucial times with
uncertain future!: "Ottawa said Robert Walker, who was senior
vice-president of nuclear laboratories at AECL, will take over from Hugh
MacDiarmid as chief executive.
Walker, an engineer by training, has
also worked as assistant deputy minister of science and technology at
the Department of National Defence and the chief executive of Defence
Research and Development Canada.": http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/10/07/aecl-chief-executive.html
The
first is the great news that CNSC has approved AECL's application to
renew the operating license for the Chalk River Laboratories Site for a
period of 5 years. This is great news for
neutron scattering, isotope and nuclear research communities as it means
NRU is allowed to operate for the next 5 years: http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/mediacentre/releases/news_release.cfm?news_release_id=393
"While in principle the
decision allows for an extension to the life of NRU, operation remains
contingent on the results of licensed safety requirements, one such
being a reactor vessel inspection report CNSC expects to receive from
AECL by February 2012." from http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/IT-Chalk_River_licensed_for_five_more_years-281011a.html
"I am extremely pleased that
the Commission has renewed the Chalk River operating licence for five
years," said Dr. Robert Walker, AECL President and Chief Executive
Officer. "This license is vital to enabling AECL to deliver value to
Canadians and the world as Canada’s premier nuclear Science and
Technology organization.” from: http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=132&storyCode=2061014
