Nuclear Batteries - Powering the Micro Devices of Tomorrow

Engineers and researchers at the University of Missouri have produced a nuclear powered battery which is approximately the size of a penny. This battery produces power from the decay of radioisotopes and is claimed to produce a million times more power than an ordinary battery. This is an amazing feat for battery engineering. There are numerous uses of such a device such as in micro medical devices, remote sensors, spacecraft and other hard to reach devices which require a continual source of power.

Radioactive substances are known to decay in a continual and reasonably predictable manner. When they decay, they release charged particles which can be gathered and routed into creating electric current. This differs from the nuclear processes in power plants where energy is obtained from the splitting of radioactive atoms creating multitude of other radioactive byproducts. This is much safer since it is a natural process of decay harnessed into electricity. Since radiation emanates from the source in every direction, the contraption that contains this radioactive substance must successfully capture all the discharged particles without letting any harmful particles escape.

Nuclear batteries are currently being used for numerous applications mainly in aerospace and military uses. Although people may think that nuclear radiation is something to be cautious about, nuclear power sources are already powering a number of useful devices such as satellites, pacemakers and systems underwater. Radiation is a well researched and known phenomenon and if these radioactive substances can be used in the correct manner and application, they are extremely effective and last for hundreds of years.

The ability of these engineers to make a battery smaller is through the use of liquid semiconductors as opposed to solid semiconductors which were required to be larger in size. This liquid semiconductor captures the decaying particles that are emitted more effectively than solid semiconductors. This is because due to the highly volatile energies of the emitted particles, solid semiconductors suffer great structural damage and need to be larger in size. This is why liquid semiconductors are better suited for batteries by cushioning and absorbing the energy of these emitted particles and putting them to proper use.

Although these batteries are not commercially available, they are continually being researched and being made even smaller to power the micro devices in medical applications. The main use of these nuclear batteries is to power tiny devices which are known as nano and micro electromechanical systems. These will give the medical field more options in terms of electrical implants as well as robot assisted surgery.

Although we may be far from using these nuclear batteries to power our remote controls and alarm clocks, the research is ongoing to solve our power problems and allow us to probe further and understand the world we live in today.

Full-Body Scanning, Radiation Exposure and Help From An Erupting Volcano

Can Hot Lava from an Erupting Volcano restore your physical health?

Innocent people these days are being unknowingly subjected to harmful levels of radiation exposure by well-meaning security officers. Did you know that every time you, your spouse and kids go through a full-body scanner or metal detectors (like the ones at airports or government offices) they are exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. This exposure can directly lead to cancer, cell death and other severe illnesses and even flu symptoms and colds that never seem to go away. There is only one "Silver Bullet" known to man that has the power to wash away the effects of heavy metal toxins and even radiation exposure. That silver bullet is called a Zeolite.

Hot Lava and Seawater to the Rescue

Zeolites are unique minerals that are formed when a volcano suddenly erupts and spews hot lava into the ocean. When they come together and harmonize they form a special type of highly charged particle called a Zeolite.

This precious Zeolite particle is negatively charged and attracts heavy metals like mercury, lead, aluminum (from chemtrails too) and radioactive isotopes (from scanners or nuclear explosions) and binds to them like a magnet to iron and flushes them out of the body. Zeolites are much more powerful than other antioxidants. They have been proven to absorb free radicals, and heavy metals (even uranium 238 and plutonium) from your body, as well as enhancing the immune system without any side effects. This mineral is safe to living organisms and will balance the body's pH. Disease forming organisms can not live in a balanced pH environment.

Zeolites Can Save Your Health

Eliminates Radiation Exposure Effects (x-rays, full-body scanners, nuclear)

Detoxes Heavy Metals, Including Mercury, Lead & Aluminum (chemtrails)

Flushes Environmental Toxins (chemicals and cell phone radiation)

Starves Cancer Cells and Parasites

Enhances Your Immune System Naturally

Alkalizes Your Body (Healthy Balance for Peak Health)

Zeolites Can Even Help Rid Your Body from Nuclear Radiation Poisoning

Zeolites are extremely powerful! They have been used in toxic dump cleanup. In fact, they are being used to remove radiation from the Chernobyl Nuclear Explosion area. They are safe for human and animal usage. The best forms to use are either liquid or micronized powder Zeolite. Liquid Zeolites easily penetrate our cells and draw out any toxins they contact.

Powdered Zeolites (micronized - which are very small particles) are also very good, as they are small enough to get through to small cells and deeply detox our bodies and restore our health. I highly recommend that you have some on hand and use them regularly as we are all exposed to heavy metals that make us sick.

Don't forget to have some on hand. They could just save your health, as well as your loved ones. Get more information about zeolites by clicking Zeolites.

James Cruise is a holistic practitioner that loves helping others in their quest for optimum health and peak performance. Get the inside advantage today! Visit me on the web @ http://thehealingfrequency.com

Nuclear Radiation and Nuclear Power Accidents?

We have groups in our nation who are very anti-nuclear, yet that would be the answer to those who believe in Global Warming? If they really do not want CO2 and other pollution gases in the atmosphere then nuclear is the most obvious answer. In fact because of its power it maybe the best solution not only on Earth but for Space Stations on the Moon or Colonies on Mars.

The anti-nuclear groups are quick to point out nuclear accidents such as the 1979 Three-Mile Island disaster in PA, in which no one was even injured. But as soon as you point this out, they immediately attack you on the Chernobyl accident, which was a disaster of biblical proportion. Yet if you consider the Soviet Union at the time had nothing even close to the NRC in the United States, in fact there was NO regulation or oversight Also realize the newest technology in nuclear reactors would be nothing similar to that technology used in Chernobyl. Even so that accident, a complete meltdown, reports said 30,000 people died, yet in reality it was only 47 in the actual accident. The total number who died later was 4,000 people, yet not even all can be confirmed to be from radiation poisoning. The disaster was not anything near what it was made to be in the media spurred on by environmentalists against nuclear power.

Did you know that each year wind generators kill thousands of birds? Did you know that the special additives demanded to be added to gasoline into the fuel by environmentalists nearly doubles the production costs and kills thousands people per year? Did you know if we made more nuclear power the air would be cleaner and lower health care costs? Did you know that the only reason we do not have more nuclear power in our nation is because lawyers filing lawsuits on behalf of environmental groups have blocked these nuclear projects?

Lastly and I want you to think about this one. Did you know that the survivors from Hiroshima have lived well past the average expected life span in their country? Did you know that such studies tend to suggest that nuclear radiation may be good for you? Have you considered what would happen to Earth if we turned off the Sun? What kind of energy do you suppose it runs off of? That's right, nuclear energy; think on this?

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.

Is Nuclear Power Safe?

The Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear power plant in Japan discharged approximately 350 gallons of radioactive water into the sea today after an earthquake shook the Japanese town, which is 160 miles northwest of Tokyo.

Fortunately, the radioactive contamination levels fell well below legal limits. The power plant is the one largest nuclear facility's in the world and just one of fifty-five nuclear reactors in Japan. The incident, in light of the recent swarm of headlines regarding alternative energy use and the possible re-emergence of nuclear power as a primary alternative energy source, leaves many to wonder, is nuclear power safe?

Nuclear energy has both good and bad points. It creates a huge amount of energy without using valuable fossil fuels, but it also produces radioactive materials that can be extremely harmful to the environment. Consequently, nuclear safety includes actions taken to prevent nuclear and radiation accidents or to limit their consequences.

Workers at nuclear plants, and the larger environment, run a risk due to this radioactive material. Nuclear power plants must be run very carefully to ensure that there are no mistakes, which is why nuclear power plant operators promote a safety culture. The term "safety culture" is a term introduced by the International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group in a report published on the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) defines safety culture as "an assembly of characteristics and attitudes in organizations and individuals, which establishes that, as an overriding priority, nuclear plant safety issues receive the attention warranted by their significance." Safety culture is about improving safety attitudes in people, but it is also about good safety management established by organizations with a holistic, whole community, whole of life approach. A good safety culture implies a constant assessment of the safety significance of events, such as earthquakes or other natural disasters.

Additionally, nuclear power plants possess both active and passive safety systems. Active safety systems are systems activated by a human operator, an automatic computer driven system, or even a mechanical system to respond to dangerous events in an appropriate manner. Passive safety systems rely on the laws of nature to ensure a reactor responds in an appropriate manner during potentially dangerous events. The laws of nature include for instance, incorporating the law of physics in engineered components of nuclear power plants whereby a nuclear reaction would slow versus accelerate during potentially dangerous situations or events.

Nuclear power plants also possess structural safety systems. Surrounding a nuclear reactor are certain containment structures, such as the fuel ceramic, metal fuel cladding tubes and the reactor vessel and coolant system. Finally, nuclear reactors are housed in containment buildings. Containment buildings, which are made of steel or concrete, enclose nuclear reactors to contain the escape of radiation.

Ultimately, human exposure to radiation, the primary contamination of concern at nuclear power plants, is more likely to come from exposure natural background radiation and from some medical procedures. In fact, studies exist finding no evidence of increased risk of exposure to radiation or occurrences of cancer in individuals living near nuclear facilities. For instance, in 1990 a study by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of Health, which surveyed over 900,000 cancer deaths in counties near nuclear facilities, found no increased incidence of cancer mortality in people living near 62 different nuclear facilities in the United States.

Regardless of the safety systems in place, which promote a culture of safety in nuclear power plant operations, no industrial activity is risk-free. Occurrences take place, which are completely outside our control, as evidenced by the earthquake, which impacted the Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear power. Any malfunction, accident or natural disaster at or near a nuclear power plant presents potentially devastating, long-term impacts to the surrounding community and environment.

About the Publisher: This report is published by Energy Business Reports an energy industry think tank and leading source for energy industry information and research products.

To read more about this topic, see 'Global Nuclear Power Outlook and Opportunities 2007'

Physics - Nuclear Power Plants and Their Function in Our Lives

Nuclear power plants work on the same principle as conventional power plants except for the fact that the heat energy required to convert the working medium into steam is not attained by burning fossil fuels but rather through the process of nuclear fission. During this reaction, a large amount of energy is released which the power plant uses to produce electrical current.

Nuclear fission is attained by a nuclear reaction between heavy atomic nuclei and neutrons, which are elementary particles without electrical charge. In this nuclear reaction, the nuclei are broken down into two, releasing more neutrons in the process. These released neutrons then bombard into other atoms, resulting in further fragmentation. This process is referred to as a nuclear fission chain reaction. A condition for this chain reaction to occur is when neutrons freed during fission react with other atomic nuclei to create further nuclear fission. This resulting chain reaction continues until all available material has been broken down. Nuclear fuel, usually a mixture of various uranium isotopes, is cleaned during production and processed, usually into fuel rods.

The actual nuclear reaction takes place in microseconds, which can be demonstrated with the effect of an atom bomb. To be able to use this form of energy safely, it is necessary for the chain reaction not to occur like an avalanche or like an explosion but rather that the release of energy and its use take place under full control so that the entire reaction can be maintained under control. This is the type of reaction which takes place in a nuclear reactor.

An atomic reactor is made of several enclosed systems which work together to generate energy. The fission material, which is the fissionable isotope in the fuel rods, is placed where the nuclei get broken down. To initiate this reaction, the fuel rods can either be placed into or removed from the reactor chamber. However, the output is controlled using rods made out of material, such as cadmium or metal containing boron, which are able to strongly absorb neutrons. The more this regulating rod is pushed into the reactor, the more the flow of neutrons are slowed. This regulation takes place rather automatically. In case of a danger of fallout, so-called safety rods are dropped into the reactor which slow down the flow of neutrons to the point where the reaction stops outright.

The heat energy released during nuclear fission is drawn away by a working, highly radioactive medium within the primary circuit (such as water heated to a temperature of as high as 290°C under a high pressure in the order of 107 Pa or 100 bar, which is around 100 atmospheres) and diverted in the exchanger to the secondary circuit, where steam is generated which drives an electric generator. A generator produces electrical energy which, with the help of a transformer, is converted into the required voltage and current values, in turn used for long distant transfer.

Substances suitable for slowing down fast moving neutrons are referred to as moderators (from the Latin word modero, which means to moderate). Such substances contain, for example, hydrogen (paraffin) because the hydrogen nucleus has practically the same mass as a neutron. However, not only does normal water break down neutrons but it also absorbs them. For this reason, a moderator tends to use heavy water (D2O) or graphite.

During nuclear fission, radioactive substances are created which radiate alpha, beta and gamma rays. These nuclear rays are very dangerous and may cause cancer (leukaemia) and other serious illnesses to humans. While alpha and beta rays can be successfully blocked using various measures, gamma ray penetration can be a serious problem. Gamma rays can be sufficiently blocked using barriers several meters thick made out of concrete, heavy spar concrete or water. Nuclear radiation is also emitted from exhausted, fission material and radioactive substances can emit radiation over a period of several millions of years.

Another method how to generate energy on nuclear principles is with thermonuclear fusion reactors. This nuclear process (synthesis) also creates energy within the sun. Using this nuclear fusion (thermonuclear reaction), the sun gains the necessary energy it needs to emit its radiation (nuclei synthesis). To a certain degree, nuclear fusion is the opposite of fission because it consists of a fusion of two light atomic nuclei into a heavier atomic nucleus (or atomic nuclei), a process which, once again, releases energy. In technical practice, no form of nuclear fusion has been successfully applied yet, even in light of decades of intensive research. To take advantage of nuclear fusion, a sufficient speed of atoms would need to be attained under temperatures exceeding 100 million °C and the repulsive force of atoms would have to be overcome. An uncontrolled example of using nuclear fusion (nuclear synthesis, thermonuclear reaction) has been attained with hydrogen bombs.

Nuclear Power Plants
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Developing Nuclear Power As Alternative Energy

Many researchers believe that harnessing the power of the atom in fission reactions is the most significant alternative energy resource that we have, for the fact of the immense power that it can generate.

Nuclear power plants are very clean-burning and their efficiency is rather staggering. Nuclear power is generated at 80% efficiency, meaning that the energy produced by the fission reactions is almost equal to the energy put into producing the fission reactions in the first place. There is not a lot of waste material generated by nuclear fission although, due to the fact that there is no such thing as creating energy without also creating some measure of waste, there is some.

The concerns of people such as environmentalists with regards to using nuclear power as an alternative energy source center around this waste, which is radioactive gases which have to be contained.

The radiation from these gases lasts for an extraordinarily long time, so it can never be released once contained and stored. However, the volume of this waste gas produced by the nuclear power plants is small in comparison to how much NOx (nitrous oxide that is, air pollution) is caused by one day's worth of rush-hour traffic in Los Angeles.

While the radiation is certainly the more deadly by far of the two waste materials, the radiation is also by far the easier of the two to contain and store. In spite of the concerns of the environmentalists, nuclear power is actually environmentally friendly alternative energy, and the risk of the contained radiation getting out is actually quite low. With a relatively low volume of waste material produced, it should not be a difficult thing at all for storage and disposal solutions for the long term to be developed as technology advances.

The splitting of an atom releases energy in the forms of both heat and light. Atomic power plants control the fission reactions so that they don't result in the devastating explosions that are brought forth in atomic and hydrogen bombs. There is no chance of an atomic power plant exploding like a nuclear bomb, as the specialized conditions and the pure Plutonium used to unleash an atomic bomb's vicious force simply don't exist inside a nuclear power plant.

The risk of a meltdown is very low. Although this latter event has happened a couple of times, when one considers that there are over 430 nuclear reactors spread out across 33 nations, and that nuclear reactors have been in use since the early 1950s, these are rare occurrences, and the events of that nature which have taken place were the fault of outdated materials which should have been properly kept up.

Indeed, if nuclear energy could become a more widely accepted form of alternative energy, there would be little question of their upkeep being maintained. Currently, six states in America generate more than half of all their electrical energy needs through nuclear power, and the media are not filled with gruesome horror stories of the power plants constantly having problems.

Many alternative energy sources explained. Ocean thermal, wind power, photovoltaic, and wind power too.

More information: Alternative Energy

Use of Radioisotopes in Nuclear Medicine

One of the recent branches of medical science is the nuclear medicine. Besides various elements nuclear medicine uses radiation for generating diagnostic information relating to functioning of specific organs. Such radiation is also used for therapeutic treatment of ailing organs. Such diagnostic processes have now become a routine affair in medical science.

Use of Radioisotopes and Radiotherapy

Radioisotopes for radiotherapy are severally used in the treatment of -

? Cancer of any type;

? Tumors and other external and internal disfigurations in human anatomy;

? It targets the damaged, effected, or ailing cells and destroys them;

? Since use is painless the demands are growing rapidly.

Use of Radioisotopes in Nuclear Medicine

In nuclear medicine the radioisotopes are used for detecting the specific functions of the organs or for treating the diseases. The reasons for its widespread use are

? Diagnosis is quick and accurate about the illness of the patient;

? Organs like thyroid, bones, heart, and liver can get damaged pretty easily and disorders in their functioning can be detected using radiations;

? As many as five Nobel laureates were associated with development of radioisotopes based detecting methods in medical science;

? More than ten thousand hospitals across the globe use radioisotopes in medicine;

? 90% of these uses are for diagnostic purposes;

? Common radioisotope used in diagnosis is the technetium-99 that is used in over thirty million procedures a year accounting for over 80% of all medicine procedures in the world.

Frequencies of Radioisotopes Use

26% of the world population resides in developed countries. Frequency of use of nuclear medicines and therefore radioisotopes in these countries come to 1.9% per annum. Over 18 million frequencies are used in United States alone for around 305 million people. Such frequencies in Europe come to about ten million for 500 million people. Use of radioisotopes comes to around 560,000 in Australia for 21 million people.

Specific Use of Radioisotopes in Medical Procedures

36% of the total radiation exposure is used for the computed X-ray tomography or CT scan as they are popularly known. According to the US National Council on the Radiation Protection and Measurements Report of the year 2009, the exposure to radiation in US has increased from 3.6 millisievert to that of 6.2 millisieverts during 1980-2010.

Jrank offers valuable insight on the use of radioisotopes in nuclear and other medicines besides also providing accurate data and statistics on the trend of radioisotopes exposure in United States and all other countries in the world in divergent medical procedures.

It's Not All Bad - Positive Uses For Radiation

Through atomic bombs and horrific stories of radiation use gone wrong, today's populous has come to the conclusion that radiation is quite negative, when in reality there are many positive and productive uses for it when used and applied properly. From medicine to mechanical engineering and feats of electrical production, radiation is viewed by some in a more positive light than the majority of people today.

Radiation therapy, often used to help stop the growth and spread of cancerous cells, is perhaps the most widely used form of radiation. There are two forms of therapy using this fairly new science: external and internal radiation. External radiation is simply using large machines to aim specific amounts of radiation directly at cancerous cells, while internal therapy may consist of placing a radioactive pellet directly into the body and is usually only used in adults. The high energy form of radiation that is used in these therapies can be a needed and powerful tool in the treatment of cancer.

Even your daily activities consist of using radiation in a positive manner in ways that are considered so normal that we do not even think twice about using the products. Any time you go to the dentists office or break a bone and go to see your family physician you are exposed to X-ray machines. These tools are useful in diagnosing ailments and to discover the root causes of many physical problems. Furthermore, your home is no safe haven as simple household items such as your microwave produce non-ionizing radiation; a form of radiation that does not have cancer risks associated with it like its sister ionizing form found in ultraviolet light or high energy particles.

In a wider community wide or industrial use, radiation can be used both for energy production and food sterilization. Nuclear radiation is the basis for nuclear physics and nuclear fission, both of which have been monumental scientific discoveries that have led to mass electricity production and countless medicinal and industrial advances. Irradiation is the technical term that is used to describe forms of sterilization currently used by the United States Postal Service to sterilize mail in Washington D.C., and that is used in processes such as food preservation. Since X-rays and gamma rays are used in irradiation materials subjected to it do not become radioactive, so no need to worry about the adverse health effects of opening your mail.

Positive scientific advances, medicinal treatments, household items, and trips to your local dentist are only a few ways that mankind has found to further our knowledge and successes in many different fields. While radiation can be extremely harmful if not monitored and used properly it can also be a tremendous benefit to many fields of study and our industry. There are countless other forms and uses for it and through responsibility we can continue to harness its healing and advancing power.

Many websites provide additional information on the topic of nuclear radiation. One such site worth visiting is http://www.apnga.com.

Matthew Eddington independently author's articles for WebDrafter.com, Inc. http://www.webdrafter.com for search engine marketing. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author, and not of any other person, company, or organization. No guarantee or warranty, express or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, fitness, or use of the content herein.

Too Much Radiation Can Cause Us Harm

Obviously, we are exposed to many sources of radiation in everyday life and no matter what we do, we cannot avoid them. The radiation that we receive from the earth is very minimal and has been around since the beginning of time (and it will always be around). However, some of our own activities has in fact increased the amount of radiation we are exposed to during our everyday lives.

The detonation of nuclear weapons releases massive amounts of radiation. The debris from a nuclear blast is radioactive and eventually settles to the earth. Nuclear reactors also generate radioactive materials, but the radiation created from reactors is in most cases contained.

X-rays used in medical and dental procedures are definitely contributors to man-made radiation. We all need x-rays from time to time, but it is best not to overdue it. This is why medical professionals leave the room when they x-ray a patient. Nuclear medicine, which may even be used to treat cancer, is another factor adding to the radiation doses people recieve. The use of radioactive materials in research settings can also be a hazard. It is advised that anyone exposed to radiation in their daily work environment take the proper precautions.

Many products for sale to consumers are radioactive. Some of these include T.V.'s, luminous-dial watches, smoke detectors, tobacco products and building materials. In addition, cellphones are a possible cause of radiation. At this time, it is currently unknown how much radiation these sources add to our exposure.

Please review free cancer prevention articles written by knowledgeable scientists and doctors at Cancer Prevention Report Our health is our most precious asset.

Radiation Safety - What to Know About Nuclear and Other Radiation Sources

Radiation is a word often coupled with 'cancer', 'nuclear fallout', and other negative terms. What few people know is that radiation is actually commonplace in most households, as devices such as microwave ovens, cell phones, and light bulbs also emit some form of radiation.

The negative connection between radiation and death is common place in today's society as every form of death somehow seems to be connected back to some kind of radiation exposure. While one can't deny the effects of long term contact it is also a valid statement to say that as a society, we tend to blame things on our surroundings. For example, a baby that dies after an x-ray is immediately assumed to have died from radiation poisoning without even considering any other factors. Also, remember that radiation is radiation, no different when man made than it is when it's naturally occurring. It is important to examine all forms of influence when studying any negative happening, and educate yourself about anything you feel as a threat to your health or well-being.

As the term 'radiation' is so widely used, it is also important to know what exactly it is. One form, particle radiation, can itself be split into two forms: alpha particle and beta particle. These two kinds of particle radiation are emitted by certain substances, such as radium and plutonium. The good news is that neither of these particle forms are very tough and cannot travel far from their source, and alpha particles are actually not even strong enough to penetrate skin, although ingesting them can be a different ballgame.

The most common form of alpha particle radiation has become somewhat of a well-known term. Radon occurs naturally all over the planet, and government agencies say that more than half of a human's average radiation comes from the soil we all walk on. This is partially the reason in-home radon testing is important in many areas. Some parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey have been shown to have higher concentrations of the gas due to naturally occurring rock formations containing large amounts of uranium. However, since radon is a gas it is usually not an issue in a diluted form, but can begin to cause problems when say, trapped in a basement of other small space.

The other form of particle radiation, beta particle, is more common due to its widespread use in many medical treatments. Most people around the world do not even have to worry about this form unless undergoing some form of treatment, in which case your doctor can help you out with any issues. Other than that, beta particle radiation is hard to find, and usually will not be an issue.

All being said, there is no way to get away from radiation due to the fact that it completely permeates our world. It comes from the soil, the sun, the food we eat, and even particles in our own bodies. In fact, according to the Health Physics Society the average American is exposed to six times more natural radiation than man made. The best way to stay safe is to stay informed, and make smart decisions like wearing sunscreen and having your home tested to ensure you are minimizing your risk.

For a comprehensive repository of information on the topic of radiation, visit http://www.apnga.com. APNGA has an entire manual that describes and defines radiation and radioactivity.

Matthew Eddington authors articles for WebDrafter.com, Inc. (http://www.webdrafter.com), which produces Website design, hosting, and search engine marketing services.

Can Nuclear Energy Save You From Global Warming?

Just imagine a world with abundant energy, enabling you to live the good life forever... Isn't that what most of us crave? Nuclear energy is magic isn't it?

Nuclear energy has no greenhouse gas emissions. The latest technology has made it safe and we can bury nuclear waste without worrying about radiation. Business as usual without doing any harm.

Perfect!

Well, is it?

Nuclear energy is magical thing. It's hard to understand how it works and it's easy to get bamboozled by claims made by the nuclear magicians - scientists - as well as by opponents.

Take veteran environmentalist Dr James Lovelock, of GAIA fame who says only nuclear energy can save us from global warming. Or Dr Helen Caldicott who says it's too dangerous and we do not need it.

And governments ... Well, depends on who you talk to.

Your life is full already without figuring out what is valid and what's not. Right?

Easier to just leave it to "Them."

But stop!

Find out the facts on nuclear energy and nuclear radiation hazards. Then make up your mind - and next time there is an election you vote with some knowledge under your belt. There is plenty of information out there to help you make up your mind and I'll give you a leg-up.

So, here is an easy framework. Imagine experiencing a certain "knowing"about this important issue on your way to the ballot box, or in talking with your friends.

Given that global warming is a real threat, and global energy demand is ballooning, then the nuclear energy debate is essentially about four Big Issues.

1) Can nuclear energy deliver on a low-emission or even non-emission basis?

2) Is nuclear energy for electrical power purposes safe?

3) Can it be delivered at a reasonable cost?

4) How does it compare with other low-emission alternate energy sources?

Here is an overview only of those issues. But don't just take my word for it. Find out more yourself!

Emissions



Yes, nuclear energy is emission-free if you just measure the exhausts from a reactor's chimney.

In one study, nuclear energy came close to wind power in low emissions over its lifetime.

There is no air pollution, with big nuclear energy user France having the cleanest air in Europe.

No, it is not emission-free and is a greenhouse gas emitter, when measuring mining of uranium and transporting it, building and decommissioning nuclear power plants.


Safe?



Chernobyl still stands the only disastrous accident with a nuclear power plant, and the antiquated structure and action taken after the "melt-down" bears much blame.

Any safeguards are only as good as the people that manage them, and any further accident will be one too many.

Modern nuclear power plant structures are much safer.

A terrorist attack, using radioactive material in a dirty bomb cannot be excluded.

A terrorist attack using an airplane could be disastrous, even though deactivating a modern nuclear plant can be done in 5 seconds.

A higher-than-normal incidence of childhood leukemia has been reported near power plants in the UK, France and Germany.

So-called Generation IV nuclear reactors, including "fast breeders" are said to be cleaner (low radiation level waste), cheaper and safer but the first will not be ready before 2010, some not until 2030.


Cost



Economics of nuclear energy is a wobbly concept, depending on the assumptions about other energy sources and their end costs.

Nuclear reactors currently have very high start-up and close-down costs compared to other low-emission, and renewable energy sources.

Costs are more than just counting money.


Comparison to low-emission energy sources



You'll find many studies with different results.

One must take into account the urgent threat presented by global warming, that of radioactive energy, and appraise the benefits of energy-wise living and currently available renewable energy sources.

The magical attraction of nuclear energy remains: throw enough money at it and all our problems will seem to go away. But the future is most likely one of a diversified use of renewable energy with some nuclear energy. It's a question of where to put the emphasis.

Nuclear energy sources removes people even further from tangible "natural" processes. More of the same kind of thinking that caused our global warming problems in the first place. Why not emphasize responsible energy use, and the use of the Great Big Nuclear Reactor In The Sky to drive wind, tidal and solar energy. And to try and live in harmonious relationship with each other and our environments.

But you just have to make up your own mind. My children's future and yours depend on you. Only your personal attitude - the greatest energy source we know - can help you live with global warming. And we are going to have to live with it for a long, long time.

Dr Erik Leipoldt has long been concerned about the effects of global warming. In particular he uses his own experience of severe disability in practical approaches towards alternate energy sources to survive and thrive in our environmentally disabled world.

See http://www.alternate-energy-sources.com/

What is Nuclear Energy?

The energy produced as a result of atomic energy where nuclear reaction of fission or fusion takes place is called as nuclear energy. Today the world uses about 16% of nuclear energy. To harness energy, radioactivity of the atoms is subjected to produce nuclear power. For example, to drive a steam turbine, a nuclear chain reaction takes place, where large amounts of heat and boiling water is produced, that drives the former. It is megawatts of power that is generated in this process, but the initial cost of setting up a nuclear plant to harness this energy is very high. Researchers believe that the solution for world's biggest problem of global warming is nuclear energy.

France is the country that utilizes maximum amount of nuclear energy, at an estimate of 77%. Lithuania follows second place with 65% and the US with 20%. Though ultimately it is heat that is generated from both a nuclear plant and any other power plant, it is to be noted that the method of heat generation varies between the two. Since there is always an energy demand whose needs keep on rising day by day, it is not possible to provide them with finite amounts of fuel to satisfy their needs. This is a better source that is made available even against the backdrop of any climatic change unlike other thermal plants.

Nuclear energy does have its advantages. Since, here the splitting of atoms takes place, large amounts of energy are released in this process, that is, almost 10 million times greater than when an atom of fossil fuel is burned. The amount of carbon dioxide that is produced is very less, compared to coal plants or any other power generating industries. The only disadvantage is in building up of the power plant and concern over the disposal of its wastes and decomposing it though it is much less than the other power generators. Its compact fuel is also easy to transport. Since uranium is the prime element that is required, it is available in plenty from open cut mines and is not expensive too.

There are disadvantages too, the prime being nuclear radiation accidents that are fatal or bring irreversible changes in mankind in generations too. These require high initial capital cost and it is not possible for long term storage of nuclear waste.

If you'd like to read more about nuclear pros and cons, check out http://www.biofuelswatch.com/

 

 

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