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Kansai Electric Power Revises Nuclear Emergency Disaster Prevention Business Plans for Three Nuclear Power Plants

Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. announced on August 27 that it has revised the nuclear operator disaster prevention business plans for the Mihama, Takahama, and Oi nuclear power plants in accordance with Japan's Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness, and filed them with the Prime Minister and the Nuclear Regulation Authority on the same day. The revisions pertain to nuclear emergency disaster prevention arrangements at the three nuclear power plants. Kansai Electric Power stated that it will continue to ensure the safety of the nuclear power plants and enhance nuclear emergency disaster prevention measures in accordance with the relevant plans. According to the documents, the consultation period prior to the revisions was from May 13 to July 30, 2026, totaling 79 days. The consultation parties included the local governments where the nuclear power plants are located and related neighboring local governments.

2026-08-27

France's Gravelines Nuclear Power Plant Reports Multiple INES Level 0 Events

France's Gravelines nuclear power plant recently disclosed significant events reported to the French Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR). The events cover safety, operations, and radiation protection, and were all rated as Level 0 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES), i.e., below the scale threshold, with no actual impact on facility safety, personnel health, or the environment. In a generic safety event involving EDF's 900 MWe-class nuclear reactor units, EDF discovered during inspections at the Cruas nuclear power plant that certain commercially supplied electric servomechanisms had been installed in functional positions requiring higher qualification levels, K3 or K3ad. K3 corresponds to seismic requirements, while K3ad involves both seismic and harsh environmental conditions, including radiation environments. Subsequently, EDF conducted checks on related equipment at the Blayais, Chinon, Cruas, Dampierre, Gravelines, Saint-Laurent, and Tricastin nuclear power plants and confirmed that a batch of equipment had model suitability issues.

2026-08-27

German BESSY II Research Reveals: Cesium Chloride Seed Layer Can Improve Quality of Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Solar Cells

A team from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) in Germany used the BESSY II synchrotron radiation facility to conduct nanoscale analysis of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells fabricated by evaporation methods, and proposed a new approach to improve the quality of perovskite thin films. The study shows that introducing a thin cesium chloride (CsCl) seed layer between the two sub-cells promotes uniform growth of the perovskite layer while reducing undesirable lead iodide deposition at the interface. The research demonstrates that the cesium chloride seed layer improves the growth of the evaporated perovskite layer and reduces the formation of lead iodide. Scanning electron microscopy images show that the perovskite layer grown without a seed layer (left image) consists of extremely fine crystallites...

2026-08-27

Europe Advances Space Nuclear Power Research, Targeting Lunar and Mars Missions

The European Space Agency (ESA) is accelerating its assessment of nuclear energy applications in deep-space missions, focusing on using small nuclear reactors to power spacecraft electric propulsion systems, as well as providing stable energy for future fixed lunar surface facilities and subsequent Mars missions. Existing space missions primarily rely on chemical fuels and solar panels. The former is limited by the amount of propellant that can be carried, while the latter suffers from declining power generation efficiency as spacecraft move farther from the Sun. ESA believes that nuclear power systems could compensate for the shortcomings of both approaches, particularly in long-duration lunar operations and deeper space exploration. ESA completed a nuclear thermal propulsion study last year. In March this year, the agency...

2026-08-27

Japan's Helical Fusion and Tohoku University Launch Social Communication Research on Fusion Energy

Helical Fusion recently announced that it has launched a joint research project with the Takahashi-Kariwara Laboratory of the Graduate School of Engineering at Tohoku University in August 2026, focusing on ideal communication methods for the social implementation of fusion energy. The project is planned to last approximately one year, with a focus on exploring the communication methods, dialogue mechanisms, and decision-making pathways required for fusion energy to move toward social application. According to the project plan, both parties will examine cases of existing advanced technologies in areas such as social acceptance and risk perception to study communication strategies needed for the stable application of fusion energy in future society. The research also plans to introduce...

2026-08-27

South Korea's Daewoong Pharmaceutical Partners with Promedius to Promote AI Osteoporosis Screening Solution Using Chest X-rays

Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced on August 27 that it has signed a sales, distribution, and joint promotion agreement with Promedius, a medical imaging AI company, to promote Osteo Signal, an AI-based osteoporosis risk screening solution using chest X-rays, in South Korea. This partnership also marks Daewoong Pharmaceutical's expansion from its existing osteoporosis treatment business into the AI-assisted diagnostics field. Under the agreement, Daewoong Pharmaceutical will leverage its business network covering medical institutions across South Korea, along with its sales and marketing capabilities, to bring the solution into more clinical settings. Promedius will provide medical imaging AI technical support to assist in its deployment in real-world medical environments.

2026-08-27

Hyogo Medical University Hospital to Launch Japan's First Elekta Evo Linear Accelerator System Treatments

Elekta K.K. announced on August 27 that its high-precision radiation therapy device, the Elekta Evo linear accelerator system, will be installed for the first time in Japan at Hyogo Medical University Hospital, with the first treatment scheduled to commence on September 24, 2026. This marks the entry of this next-generation radiation therapy system into clinical application in Japan. As the number of cancer patients increases, the demand for personalized and precise treatment in the field of radiation therapy continues to rise. The Elekta Evo is positioned as a next-generation radiation therapy system capable of covering both routine and more complex cancer treatment scenarios. The system is equipped with Iris, an AI-driven high-definition imaging technology, which enables clearer visualization of the positional relationships between organs in the patient's body...

2026-08-27

Sichuan Huadu Nuclear Energy Wins Control Rod Drive Mechanism Orders for 4 Nuclear Power Units

On August 24, news came from Sichuan Huadu Nuclear Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd., located in Dujiangyan, Chengdu, Sichuan, that the company has won the orders for control rod drive mechanisms for 4 units among the first batch of nuclear power units approved for construction during the 15th Five-Year Plan period in China, with a total new contract value of 504 million yuan. The winning projects include Units 3 and 4 of Zhejiang Jinqimen Nuclear Power Plant, as well as Units 1 and 2 of Phase I of Liaoning Zhuanghe Nuclear Power. According to the previous approval arrangement by the State Council Executive Meeting, the new batch of nuclear power projects involves a total of 4 projects and 8 units, including Phase II of Zhejiang Jinqimen Nuclear Power, Phase III of Guangdong Taipingling Nuclear Power, Phase I of Liaoning Zhuanghe Nuclear Power, and Phase I of Shandong Laiyang Nuclear Power, all adopting China's self-developed third-generation nuclear power technology...

2026-08-27

Huzhou, Zhejiang Launches Phase I "Drug-Device Combination" Clinical Trial for the Province's First BNCT System

Recently, the Boron Neutron Tumor Treatment Center at Huzhou Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine has drawn attention with the introduction of the province's first Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) system. Previously, the system had already initiated a Phase I BNCT drug-device combination clinical trial. According to the system developer, Huapeng Neutron Technology (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., BNCT is a radiotherapy technique combining drugs and devices, with its core lying in the coordinated use of boron-containing drugs and neutron irradiation. After entering the human body, the boron-containing drug can be absorbed by tumor cells; subsequent neutron beam irradiation triggers a localized reaction to achieve targeted radiotherapy against tumor cells. Unlike conventional radiotherapy, which typically employs fractionated irradiation over a longer treatment course, BNCT emphasizes selective targeting of tumor cells, aiming to reduce damage to surrounding healthy tissues and lower radiotherapy-related side effects such as hair loss and immunosuppression.

2026-08-27

NSF Funds $30 Million Turbulence Research Center Focused on Predictive Modeling for Fusion Energy

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has established a new Science and Technology Center with a total funding of $30 million, focusing on the understanding and prediction of turbulence. The project targets application scenarios such as fusion energy, astrophysics, and hypersonic flight, aiming to tackle the challenges of cross-scale turbulence modeling and prediction in complex physical systems. Researchers and students from San José State University (SJSU) will participate in the related research. This is a three-dimensional simulated turbulent velocity field at the core collapse point of a massive star before a supernova explosion. Image credit: S. Couch, based on research by Fields and Couch published in The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 921, Page 28.

2026-08-27

Bangladesh Highlights Potential of Nuclear Technology for Maritime Applications at ATLAS Ministerial Meeting

On August 26, local time, Bangladesh's Minister of Science and Technology, Faqrul Mahbub Anam, stated at the 2026 Ministerial Launch of the Licensing of Atomic Technology for Marine Applications (ATLAS) held in Washington, D.C., USA, that Bangladesh is committed to responsible participation in the global nuclear dialogue and believes that emerging nuclear technologies hold significant potential in the field of maritime applications. Anam stated that in the face of challenges such as climate change, energy security, and growing energy demand, the importance of nuclear energy in reducing emissions and ensuring reliable energy supply is rising. Advanced nuclear technologies, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), can provide stable low-carbon electricity and support economic growth, poverty reduction...

2026-08-27

Bulgarian Environmental Groups Demand Public Review of Water Engineering Project Near Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant

WWF Bulgaria has called for the prompt public disclosure of the technical plans and final design selection for the proposed hydraulic structures near the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, as well as for public discussions to be organized before construction work begins in the Danube riverbed. The organization stated that the purpose of the proposed project is to raise local water levels during prolonged droughts and historically low Danube water levels, ensuring the stable operation of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant's cooling system. The organization has sent an open letter to Bulgaria's Minister of Energy, Minister of Transport and Communications, and Minister of Environment and Water, raising these demands. WWF Bulgaria noted that the Danube is an international waterway, and any engineering intervention involving the riverbed requires careful assessment of environmental, socio-economic, hydro-morphological, and transboundary impacts. Given the complexity of the factors involved in the project, relevant analyses, model results, and design justifications should be made public in a timely manner and subjected to transparent public discussion.

2026-08-27

IAEA Launches ATLAS Initiative to Advance Nuclear Energy Maritime Applications

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) launched the Atomic Technology for Maritime Applications Licensing Scheme (ATLAS) on August 26 in Washington, D.C., United States, aiming to support the safe, reliable, and peaceful use of nuclear energy in civilian vessels and floating nuclear power plants. The two-day ATLAS ministerial launch event, hosted by the United States, attracted approximately 600 delegates from over 50 countries, including international organizations, nuclear and maritime industry enterprises, port authorities, and relevant regulatory and policy departments. The IAEA stated that as nuclear-powered ships and floating nuclear power plants gain increasing attention, closer coordination mechanisms between the nuclear and maritime communities are needed. Maritime shipping carries approximately 80% of global trade volume, and maritime trade demand continues to grow at around 2% annually...

2026-08-27

Malaysia Advances Nuclear Energy Workforce Planning Capacity Building

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently held a national workshop on nuclear energy human resource planning in Malaysia to help the country enhance its workforce forecasting and capacity building for existing and future nuclear applications. The workshop was held from 17 to 21 August 2026 over five days, with participants from MyPOWER Corporation, the Malaysian Nuclear Agency, regulatory bodies, national utilities, and academic and training institutions. The five-day workshop was held in Malaysia from 17 to 21 August 2026, with participants including representatives from MyPOWER Corp...

2026-08-27

Russia's SKIF Synchrotron First Scientific User Competition Expected to Launch in Second Half of 2027

The competition to select the first research teams for the Siberian Circular Photon Source (SKIF) synchrotron in Russia is planned for the second half of 2027. Valery Bukhtiyarov, Director of the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, stated at the Technoprom-2026 forum held in Novosibirsk that the first open competition will be launched in the second half of 2027. The institute is responsible for commissioning the construction of this large-scale scientific facility. Bukhtiyarov noted that SKIF is scheduled to receive synchrotron radiation and conduct its first experiments in the autumn. Construction of the facility was completed in June 2026, with an opening ceremony held in August 2026. Once operational, SKIF will use synchrotron radiation to help...

2026-08-27