Search Results

Russia's SKIF Synchrotron Announces Criteria for Selecting Future Research Teams

On August 31, Andrei Bukhtiyarov, Deputy Director of the Shared Use Center of the Siberian Circular Photon Source (SKIF) synchrotron, stated that the scientific innovation of research proposals will be one of the key criteria when selecting research teams for future experiments at SKIF. According to reports, the selection process will also focus on the clarity of research ideas and the feasibility of experimental plans. Since some experiments may not be feasible under existing or planned experimental station conditions, applications will first undergo technical review to confirm whether the experiments can be conducted within the facility's capabilities. The SKIF Shared Use Center has established a Scientific Committee to review applications submitted by research teams. The Center plans to...

2026-09-01

Japan Plans to Introduce Physical AI into Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Decommissioning

The Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) are preparing to introduce Physical AI technology into the decommissioning operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station to enhance the autonomous operational capabilities of robots in high-radiation environments. This technology enables artificial intelligence to autonomously control robots based on on-site conditions, performing tasks such as inspection, data collection, and cleanup. To advance this effort, an advisory organization involving the government, businesses, universities, and research institutions is planned to be established within the year, with discussions centered on technology development, equipment application, and on-site verification. The organization is expected to be led by relevant government ministries and TEPCO, and will include AI startups, robot manufacturers, and university researchers.

2026-09-01

Nuclear technology breeding helps Laos improve rice varieties and increase yields

Rice is a vital staple food and source of income for rural households in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and serves as the foundation of the country's food security. Over 80% of local farmers grow rice, with paddy fields accounting for approximately 60% of the nation's cultivated land. To enhance food supply capacity, Laos has set a target of increasing rice production to 5.5 million tonnes. The Saphart 1 rice variety was launched at the 2023 National Seed Fair for Food Security and Nutrition. (Photo: S. Phommalath/ RCCRC) Facing challenges such as environmental change, flooding, plant diseases, and increasing pressure on agricultural systems, agricultural researchers in Laos are turning to nuclear technology to improve rice varieties. The National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute of Laos...

2026-09-01

Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 Outage 218 Officially Commences

At 2:20 AM on September 1, Unit 2 of Qinshan Phase II was disconnected from the East China Power Grid, marking the official commencement of Outage 218. This outage is a Category C overhaul for Unit 2 of Qinshan Phase II. In addition to the routine annual overhaul items such as reactor coolant system head removal and installation, fuel handling, SG eddy current inspection and flushing, it also includes important special tasks such as generator rotor removal, insertion and inspection, diesel generator excitation system renovation, PSR weakness anti-boron dilution modification, reactor coolant system automatic makeup and residual heat removal eddy current detection function, and nuclear island low-voltage switchgear renovation. The planned items for this outage total 6,119: including 3,764 preventive items, 171 strategic maintenance items, 789 periodic tests, 133 modification work orders, and 1,262 other types of work.

2026-09-01

CERN Accelerator Complex Enters Full LS3 Shutdown for Upgrades, Paving the Way for the High-Luminosity LHC Era

On the morning of August 31 local time, the injector complex and the Antimatter Factory at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) ceased operation after completing their final beam deliveries, officially entering the third Long Shutdown (LS3) phase. Earlier, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) had been closed in June, marking the flagship accelerator as the first to kick off LS3 upgrade work at the center. Bettina Mikulec (left), head of the Operations Group at CERN, handed a symbolic baton—a miniature superconducting magnet from the LHC—to Jean-Philippe Tock (right), head of the LS3 Coordination Group, with CERN Director-General Mark Thomson (second from left) and Oliver Brüning (third from left), head of Accelerators and Technology, in attendance.

2026-09-01

Tennessee Issues First-Ever Commercial Fusion-Specific Permit in the U.S. to Type One Energy

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has issued Type One Energy the state's first permit specifically for a fusion energy facility, allowing the company to advance fusion-related projects at the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Bull Run Energy Complex in Clinton. Tennessee officials stated this is the first permit of its kind in the United States issued under a new state-level fusion regulatory framework. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, alongside fusion energy partners, presented the first U.S. permit specifically for a commercial fusion facility on Monday at the Organization of American States (OAS) annual meeting in Nashville. (LR) TVA Interim...

2026-09-01

Fuel Loading Begins at U.S. Palisades Nuclear Plant to Advance Restart

Holtec Nuclear announced on August 31 that fuel loading has begun into the reactor pressure vessel at the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Covert Township, Michigan, U.S. This milestone marks a critical step toward restoring operation at the permanently shut down commercial nuclear plant, advancing the restart process into Mode 6, the refueling mode, under the plant's technical specifications. The Palisades reactor core consists of 204 fuel assemblies, including new fuel and partially used fuel remaining from the plant's previous operating cycle. The core is designed to support the plant's 805 MW electrical output. Holtec...

2026-09-01

U.S. Lightbridge Selected for DOE LaunchPad INL Program to Advance Commercialization of Advanced Nuclear Fuel

Lightbridge Corporation, a U.S. advanced nuclear fuel technology company, announced on August 31 that it has been selected for the Nuclear Energy LaunchPad program (LaunchPad INL) managed by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The company stated that the program will provide an accelerated pathway for it to design, construct, and operate a dedicated facility at INL to manufacture lead test assemblies (LTAs) of Lightbridge Fuel™, with subsequent testing supported at U.S. commercial nuclear power plants. Lead test assemblies are generally regarded as a critical qualification step for nuclear fuel after reactor testing and before commercial fuel sales...

2026-09-01

US Westinghouse Electric Seeks to Restart Nuclear Expansion via IPO

US nuclear power company Westinghouse Electric Company is seeking to advance its business revival through an initial public offering. The company previously fell into bankruptcy due to project delays and sharp cost overruns in its nuclear projects, and has since undergone changes in ownership. Recently disclosed information shows that Westinghouse Electric submitted a confidential IPO application last July, with the specific listing date and offering size yet to be determined. Market observers believe that growing electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence development, along with the policy environment promoting nuclear power expansion in the US, is improving valuation expectations for nuclear power companies. David Nicholas, CEO of nuclear energy ETF manager Xfunds...

2026-09-01

Russia's Far East Plans to Build Two Nuclear Power Plants by 2042

Alexey Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, said on September 1 during the Eastern Economic Forum that the Russian Far East plans to complete two nuclear power plants by 2042, with a total installed capacity of 3.2 GW. Chekunkov noted that during the same period, the Far East also plans to commission six hydroelectric power plants with a total installed capacity of 3.77 GW, and construct approximately 4,000 kilometers of new power grid. He stated that energy construction is not limited to new power generation projects but also includes supporting grid infrastructure to meet the region's long-term development needs. According to the relevant arrangements, the first phase of construction will last until 2030. During this period, the Far East plans to add 8.3 GW of thermal power installed capacity, including...

2026-09-01

Kansai Electric Power Applies to Build Dry Cask Storage Facilities for Spent Fuel

Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) announced on August 31 that it has submitted an application to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) seeking approval for the design and construction plans of dry cask storage facilities for spent fuel at its Mihama and Takahama nuclear power plants in Fukui Prefecture. The company plans to begin construction in 2027 and aims to complete the facilities by 2029. This application covers the first-phase construction at the Mihama and Takahama nuclear power plants. KEPCO had previously planned to build a total of four dry cask storage facilities for spent fuel at three nuclear power plants within Fukui Prefecture, including the Mihama, Takahama, and Ohi nuclear power plants. Currently, the related project at the Ohi nuclear power plant and the second-phase construction at the Takahama nuclear power plant remain...

2026-09-01

Japan Requests Hitachiomiya City in Ibaraki Prefecture to Conduct Literature Survey for High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Site

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) on August 31 requested Hitachiomiya City in Ibaraki Prefecture to conduct a literature survey, as the first step in siting a final disposal facility for high-level radioactive waste generated from nuclear power plant operations. If Hitachiomiya City agrees, it will become the fifth municipality in Japan to accept such a literature survey, and the second time the Japanese government has proactively requested a survey from a local government, following Minamitorishima in Ogasawara Village, Tokyo. On the same day, Takashi Kume, Vice Commissioner of Japan's Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, visited the Hitachiomiya City government and submitted the survey request to Mayor Sadanori Suzuki. Suzuki stated that he personally takes a positive stance toward accepting the literature survey, and noted that the city faces issues such as rapid population decline and a weak local economy, adding that if the area has favorable geological conditions, participating in the national geological disposal policy would be of "significant importance." He said he would make a decision after hearing the views of the city assembly, with the matter possibly being discussed at the regular assembly meeting as early as September.

2026-09-01

Multiple Units at Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant Go Live with Self-Developed EPM System

On August 31, the EPM system, a production management platform independently developed by China National Nuclear Power (CNNP), was officially launched at Units 3, 4, 7, and 8 of Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant. This launch marks a new stage of standardized management and control for Jiangsu Nuclear Power's production management, and also provides a practical example from Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant for CNNP's digital transformation. The EPM system is a new-generation nuclear power plant production management system independently developed by CNNP with fully independent intellectual property rights. Designed to meet the operational needs of nuclear power plant field operations, the system integrates business processes such as planning, operations, maintenance, equipment, and safety permits, unifies plant-wide work execution standards, and achieves closed-loop control across the entire production management chain. The system covers...

2026-09-01

Northeast Regional Office of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment Conducts Research on Radiation Risk Prevention and Control in the Scrap Metal Recycling and Smelting Industry

To strengthen radiation risk prevention and control across the entire chain of the scrap metal recycling and smelting industry and guide young cadres to conduct research and tackle challenges at the grassroots level, the Northeast Regional Office of Nuclear and Radiation Safety Supervision of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (hereinafter referred to as the Northeast Regional Office) recently conducted special research at scrap metal resource recycling and steel smelting enterprises as well as customs ports. This research comprehensively mapped out the sources of scrap metal recycling, supply destinations, and the current status of radioactive monitoring management in the processing and sorting stages; focused on verifying the effectiveness of radiation monitoring requirements implementation at steel smelting enterprises, and meticulously examined the monitoring point deployment and control measures at key stages such as raw material entry, production process connection, and product shipment; further clarified the import and export radioactive monitoring management procedures, coordination and linkage working mechanisms, and the response and handling of abnormal events; and conducted in-depth exchanges and discussions with relevant units on some issues identified during the research.

2026-09-01

CNNC Headway's 13C-Urea Synthesis Control Method Patent Wins China Patent Excellence Award

On August 28, the China National Intellectual Property Administration officially released the decision on the 26th China Patent Award, and CNNC Headway's invention patent "A 13C-Urea Synthesis Control Method" won the China Patent Excellence Award. This patented technology addresses key technical bottlenecks in the batch production of carbon [13C]-urea API, establishing a set of synthesis control methods that provide technical support for the large-scale and stable production of the relevant API. The application of this technology helps enhance the self-sufficiency capability of the domestic urea [13C] breath diagnostic industry chain. CNNC Headway has long been deeply engaged in the breath diagnostic field, with sustained investment in innovative R&D, quality control, clinical adaptation, and industry chain layout...

2026-09-01