Nuclear Power Articles
Jimmy's article: http://www.snopes.com/fukushima-reactor-falling-into-ocean/
Jimmy's summary: At a nuclear power plant in Japan, scientists declared that one of the reactors would fall into the ocean. Scientists said that lethal levels of radiation have been detected around the site that stems from a hole caused by a melted nuclear fuel. The radiation level at the Fukushima No. 1 power plant reached a maximum of 530 sieverts an hour. This high figure indicated that some of the melted fuel that escaped the pressure vessel is nearby. The Fukushima disaster was the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986.
Diane's article: https://www.engadget.com/2017/02/20/endless-nuclear-power-can-be-found-in-the-seas/
Diane's summary: Stanford researchers have developed a new technique to capture more uranium. While the ocean is a good source of uranium fuel, it only exists in small amounts. To extract uranium, plastic fibers must be coated with an organic chemical called amidoxime into seawater. Uranyl ions stick to the amidoxime and can be extracted and refined into uranium fuel. The researchers have come up with a conductive hybrid carbon amidoxime fiber prototype that works better in order to produce more nuclear energy. In a test, they captured three times as much uranium and fibers had a longer lifespan of standard amidoxime.
Marti's article: http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/The-US-Nuclear-Energy-Dream-Is-Dying.html
Marti's summary: The United States was predicted to be a leader in nuclear energy; however, that prediction will most likely not come true. Toshiba recently sold its American nuclear power subsidiary, Westinghouse Electric Company, losing $6 billion. They decided to sell due to the demand for electricity decreasing lately and natural gas prices have also been declining. The high cost for natural gas was a reason nuclear energy projects were wanted. There has been a higher demand for use of renewable energy sources in recent times. A major barrier for nuclear energy projects is trading safety and cost. It could be fast and inexpensive, but not with the regulations in the US. This affects the global scene because whatever the US does, the rest of the world will follow. There has only been one nuclear reactor in the last 20 years and that is the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Tran's article: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-39085496
Tran's summary: Up to 600 jobs could be created if the UK government locates a small nuclear reactor at a decommissioned Gwynedd power station. The small reactors, used on nuclear submarines, are cheaper and generate as much power as the old reactors. Opponents claim the “experimental” technology is still untested and insist sites such as Trawsfynydd are only proposed due to their remote location and small population. Many people are concern that these nuclear reactor have not been tried or tested. However, some in the nuclear industry believe the future lies with smaller reactors. NuScale Power hope to build a small-scale nuclear reactor by the mid 2020's in the United States, but it could be as late as 2030 when the first small scale reactor is up and running in the UK.
Jimmy's summary: At a nuclear power plant in Japan, scientists declared that one of the reactors would fall into the ocean. Scientists said that lethal levels of radiation have been detected around the site that stems from a hole caused by a melted nuclear fuel. The radiation level at the Fukushima No. 1 power plant reached a maximum of 530 sieverts an hour. This high figure indicated that some of the melted fuel that escaped the pressure vessel is nearby. The Fukushima disaster was the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986.
Diane's article: https://www.engadget.com/2017/02/20/endless-nuclear-power-can-be-found-in-the-seas/
Diane's summary: Stanford researchers have developed a new technique to capture more uranium. While the ocean is a good source of uranium fuel, it only exists in small amounts. To extract uranium, plastic fibers must be coated with an organic chemical called amidoxime into seawater. Uranyl ions stick to the amidoxime and can be extracted and refined into uranium fuel. The researchers have come up with a conductive hybrid carbon amidoxime fiber prototype that works better in order to produce more nuclear energy. In a test, they captured three times as much uranium and fibers had a longer lifespan of standard amidoxime.
Marti's article: http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/The-US-Nuclear-Energy-Dream-Is-Dying.html
Marti's summary: The United States was predicted to be a leader in nuclear energy; however, that prediction will most likely not come true. Toshiba recently sold its American nuclear power subsidiary, Westinghouse Electric Company, losing $6 billion. They decided to sell due to the demand for electricity decreasing lately and natural gas prices have also been declining. The high cost for natural gas was a reason nuclear energy projects were wanted. There has been a higher demand for use of renewable energy sources in recent times. A major barrier for nuclear energy projects is trading safety and cost. It could be fast and inexpensive, but not with the regulations in the US. This affects the global scene because whatever the US does, the rest of the world will follow. There has only been one nuclear reactor in the last 20 years and that is the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Tran's article: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-39085496
Tran's summary: Up to 600 jobs could be created if the UK government locates a small nuclear reactor at a decommissioned Gwynedd power station. The small reactors, used on nuclear submarines, are cheaper and generate as much power as the old reactors. Opponents claim the “experimental” technology is still untested and insist sites such as Trawsfynydd are only proposed due to their remote location and small population. Many people are concern that these nuclear reactor have not been tried or tested. However, some in the nuclear industry believe the future lies with smaller reactors. NuScale Power hope to build a small-scale nuclear reactor by the mid 2020's in the United States, but it could be as late as 2030 when the first small scale reactor is up and running in the UK.