Developing innovative techniques to investigate winter soil processes

Professors Philippe Van Cappellen and Fereidoun Rezanezhad from the Ecohydrology Research Group and Water Institute at the University of Waterloo discuss how they are developing methods to better understand winter soil processes. High latitude cold regions, including Arctic and subarctic...

Molten salt reactors: An old technology made new

A nuclear technology, molten salt reactors (MSRs), once considered to power aircraft during the Cold War, is now on the cusp of lighting our homes. Here, the University of South Carolina’s Professor Ted Besmann details the concept, history, and...

Managing the storage and transportation of commercial spent nuclear fuel

Bora Gencturk, Associate Professor from the University of Southern California, summarises the findings from various studies looking at storage and transportation issues for spent nuclear fuel. Clean electricity generation through nuclear power plants (NPP) is facing a key turning point...

Differential electrochemical mass spectrometry: real-time analysis of electrochemical processes

Dr Dane Walker from Hiden Analytical discusses how differential electrochemical mass spectrometry offers real-time analysis of electrochemical processes. Electrochemistry is a field of research focussed on chemical change and the relating flow of electrons. British scientist Michael Faraday pioneered and...

Examining the potential of magnet rare earths at the Makuutu Rare Earth Project

Tim Harrison, Managing Director and CEO of Ionic Rare Earths Limited, discusses the Makuutu Rare Earth Project and its magnet rare earths potential. Ionic Rare Earths Limited (IonicRE) is currently focused on developing its flagship Makuutu Rare Earths Project in...

Corrosion damage modelling of dry storage containers for spent nuclear fuel

Robert G Kelly, AT&T Professor of Engineering at the University of Virginia, explains why we must understand when significant corrosion damage can occur to stainless steel canisters containing spent nuclear fuel. Independent of one’s view on the future of nuclear...

Capturing a Universal understanding from James Webb Space Telescope Images

Dr Massimo Robberto, an AURA Observatory Scientist from the Space Telescope Science Institute, details the galactic journey to capture the first breathtaking James Webb Space Telescope images of the Universe. On July 12, 2022, following a preview briefing at the...

Analysing the connection between heavy-ion collisions and neutron stars

Professor Claudia Ratti from the University of Houston discusses the connection between heavy-ion collisions and astrophysical observations of neutron stars and their mergers, and the progress in the theoretical work needed to describe them. The early Universe, just a few...

Accident tolerant fuel: Ensuring safe, sustainable and reliable nuclear power plants

Professor Brent Heuser discusses the development of accident tolerant nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants in the aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi accident. Global climate change is real, and the world needs clean, safe, and reliable energy sources in order...

Exploring the potential of advanced nuclear system coolants

Professor Mark Anderson from the University of Wisconsin-Madison discusses some of the interesting experimental science questions associated with advanced nuclear system coolants and how reactors based on these technologies can help to reduce the environmental impact of power and...


Special Reports