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Laser spectroscopy reveals for the first time the precise nuclear shape of fermium-255, offering new clues in the search for superheavy elements

An international research team has, for the first time, precisely determined the nuclear structure of the actinide fermium-255, confirming that its nucleus exhibits a pronounced prolate deformation, similar to a rugby ball. The study, published in *Physical Review Letters*, was conducted in collaboration with 18 institutions, including Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in Germany, the Helmholtz Institute Mainz, and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. The findings not only correct several unreasonable nuclear property values in previous standard data tables but also provide crucial experimental validation for modern nuclear theory models. Fermium is a synthetic heavy element that does not exist in nature. Fermium-255 contains 100 protons and 155 neutrons, making its experimental production extremely challenging. The research team...

2026-08-08

Container Non-Opening Inspection and Screening System Commissioned at Logistics Center in Moscow Oblast, Russia

According to the press service of the Moscow Oblast Ministry of Investment, Industry and Science, the Selyatino Transport and Logistics Center (TLC), located in the Naro-Fominsk urban district of Moscow Oblast, Russia, has installed a modern inspection and screening facility to improve the efficiency of container cargo inspection and the level of transport safety. The equipment enables rapid inspection of cargo inside containers without opening them, helping staff determine whether dangerous goods or related substances are present inside. Yekaterina Zinovieva, Deputy Prime Minister of Moscow Oblast and Minister of Investment, Industry and Science, stated that deploying such systems is one of the measures in the region to enhance the safety of cargo storage and transportation at container yards...

2026-08-07

Taiyuan Jinyuan District Conducts Special Inspection on Radiation Safety

To effectively prevent and mitigate radiation safety risks, the Jinyuan Branch of the Taiyuan Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau in Shanxi Province recently conducted special on-site inspections of radiation-related units within its jurisdiction, with the goals of comprehensive screening, consolidating responsibilities, improving mechanisms, and eliminating hazards, fully reinforcing corporate primary responsibilities and enhancing the standardized management of the radiation environment. The inspection team successively visited Shanxi International Travel Healthcare Center (Taiyuan Customs Port Outpatient Department) and Taiyuan Qimei Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Co., Ltd., strictly adhering to relevant laws and regulations, focusing on verifying the operating conditions of radiation devices, protective conditions in operational areas, safety interlock devices, and warning sign placement, while also conducting detailed reviews of radiation safety management systems, daily protection records, staff training files, emergency plans, and self-inspection assessment materials.

2026-08-07

South China Regional Office of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment Conducts Unannounced Special Inspection on Typhoon and Flood Prevention at Daya Bay Nuclear Power Base

To effectively strengthen the safety production defense line during the flood season, reinforce the primary responsibility of operating entities for typhoon and flood prevention, and prevent and mitigate nuclear safety risks posed by extreme weather such as typhoons and heavy rainfall, the South China Regional Office of Nuclear and Radiation Safety Supervision under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (hereinafter referred to as the South China Regional Office) recently conducted an unannounced special inspection on typhoon and flood prevention at the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Base. After Typhoon Hongxia, some buildings at the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Base experienced issues such as roof leakage and water seepage. This inspection focused on the aforementioned weak links, conducting on-site verification of key critical points including the diesel generator buildings, the open intake channel for the cold source, and the combined pump house one by one. The inspection team went deep into the production frontline, meticulously examining equipment operating conditions,...

2026-08-06

IAEA Director General to Inspect Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant

Preparations are in the final stages for IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi's first inspection of Tokyo Electric Power Company's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, expected to take place on August 18. Grossi has previously stated that there are "no obstacles to a swift restart," signaling a positive attitude toward the plant's reactivation. This inspection suggests that discussions surrounding the restart may accelerate. However, it is worth noting that local residents still harbor concerns, adopting a cautiously optimistic outlook on future developments. This marks Grossi's first visit to the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, making it a significant event. Against the backdrop of growing attention to nuclear safety, the IAEA's...

2026-08-06

Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission Conducts Safety Inspection at Hanul Nuclear Power Plant

Amid the ongoing heatwave, Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission is closely monitoring safety inspections at domestic nuclear power plants. On August 6, Commission Chairman Choi Won-ho visited the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, for an on-site inspection. The primary purpose of this inspection was to verify whether the plant's safety systems can operate properly under continuously rising seawater temperatures. As rising seawater temperature is a factor that directly affects the cooling system, the Hanul plant conducted detailed checks on heat exchanger performance and thermometer conditions. Chairman Choi also held prior discussions via video conference with relevant nuclear agencies on response measures to high temperatures. During the subsequent on-site inspection, he reviewed...

2026-08-06

BESIII Experiment First Confirms the Existence of Glueballs

On August 6, Beijing time, the international collaboration of the Beijing Spectrometer III experiment (BESIII) at the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider announced at the International Conference on High Energy Physics (ICHEP 2026) held in Brazil, in the form of a special plenary report: after 15 years of sustained research, the BESIII experiment has established a complete chain of evidence proving the existence of glueballs, unraveling the mystery that has puzzled the academic community for nearly half a century. This discovery not only provides a decisive validation of the theory of quantum chromodynamics, but also demonstrates the existence of a completely new form of matter—matter composed purely of force. Atomic nuclei are composed of protons and neutrons, which in turn are composed of quarks. Gluons mediate the strong interaction between quarks...

2026-08-06

Smolensk NPP Passes Special Safety Inspection by Rosenergoatom

A team of experts from Rosenergoatom has recently completed a special safety inspection at the Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant. The inspection results will be used to further enhance safety management at the plant and at other NPPs operated by the company. The inspection was carried out by a commission comprising representatives from Rosenergoatom's headquarters and the Leningrad, Rostov, and Balakovo NPPs. Similar special inspections are conducted at Russian nuclear power plants on a regular basis, with methodologies referencing the relevant standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), to assess compliance of the plants with domestic and international safety requirements...

2026-08-06

Shimane Nuclear Power Station Unit 2 scheduled inspection completion date moved up to September 16

Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc. announced on August 5 that the schedule for the 18th periodic utility inspection of Shimane Nuclear Power Station Unit 2 has been revised, with the inspection completion date moved up from September 17, 2026 to September 16, and the power generation resumption date moved up from August 19 to August 18. Shimane Nuclear Power Station Unit 2 is a boiling water reactor unit with a rated electrical output of 820 MW. The unit was shut down on February 9, 2026 and entered its 18th periodic utility inspection. The reason for this adjustment is that, during the reactor start-up preparation work, the procurement of the nitrogen gas source used to fill the reactor containment vessel was completed earlier than planned, allowing the related work to be advanced accordingly...

2026-08-05

South Korea Launches Emergency Safety Inspection of Nuclear Facilities Amid Heatwave

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) of South Korea announced on August 5 that, due to the ongoing nationwide heatwave, it will conduct an emergency inspection of the safety status and emergency response preparedness of nuclear facilities, including nuclear power plants. The inspection was conducted via video conference, with participation from personnel of the NSSC's six regional offices, safety regulatory agencies, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP). The inspection focused on the potential impact of rising seawater temperatures used for cooling nuclear power plants. The NSSC verified the performance of relevant measuring instruments and heat exchangers, and examined KHNP's on-site emergency response status and handling procedures. The design temperature limits for seawater intake at South Korea's nuclear power plants range from 31 to 36.1 degrees Celsius. Due to climate change, the risk of high seawater temperatures is gradually emerging. In 2024, seawater temperatures in the waters off all South Korean nuclear power plants, except for the area around Shin-Hanul Units 1 and 2, reached record highs.

2026-08-05

Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress visit Hefei to inspect fusion device and innovation industry development

On August 4, a delegation of Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress conducted an inspection and research visit in Hefei, Anhui Province. The itinerary included visits to the Hefei Innovation Museum, the Memorial Hall of the Crossing-the-Yangtze Campaign, and the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, to learn about the local layout of scientific and technological innovation, the construction of major scientific facilities, and the development of the nuclear fusion industry. At the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the delegation visited the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) nuclear fusion device. Often referred to as the "artificial sun," this device serves as an important scientific research platform for Hefei in advancing the cluster development of major scientific facilities and the growth of the nuclear fusion-related industry. The delegation also received briefings on the construction of the Hefei Future Science City and the layout of related industries. Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress...

2026-08-05

Balakovo NPP Conducts Special Traffic Safety Inspection Jointly with State Traffic Police

Balakovo NPP and the traffic administration recently conducted a joint preventive inspection aimed at improving road safety in the station area and preventing traffic accidents. The operation was carried out by experts from the NPP's transport workshop together with traffic police officers from the Balakovo City Police Department, as part of the annual safety inspection campaign. During the inspection, inspectors carefully checked compliance with traffic rules by vehicle drivers and pedestrians within the NPP premises. The results showed that no violations were detected, which fully reflects the high level of discipline and responsible attitude toward safety requirements demonstrated by Balakovo NPP employees and those of its contractors. The traffic police department stated that the main objective of such inspections is...

2026-08-04

IAEA Inspects Ukrainian Energy Company Substations

On August 3, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) completed its latest inspection of key substations belonging to a Ukrainian energy company. The inspection aimed to assess energy infrastructure, particularly critical facilities affecting the safe operation of Ukraine's nuclear power plants. The Ukrainian side granted the IAEA delegation access to critical high-voltage substation systems for comprehensive monitoring. This comprehensive monitoring of substations was made possible by the expansion of the IAEA's mandate in September 2024. Under the new mandate, international inspectors can monitor not only the safety status of nuclear power plants but also the critical transmission system facilities that ensure their stable operation. Notably...

2026-08-04

Bulgarian Energy Minister to Inspect Unit Operations at Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant

Bulgaria's Ministry of Energy announced on August 3 that Energy Minister Iva Petrova will visit the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant on August 4. Experts from the Ministry of Energy, along with representatives of the management of Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) and the Electricity System Operator (ESO), will accompany her. According to the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy, the visit will focus on understanding the current operational status of Units 5 and 6 at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, assessing the impact of the abnormally low Danube River water level on plant operations, and reviewing measures taken by the Ministry to ensure the security of Bulgaria's electricity system. On August 2, the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy stated that despite the Danube River water level dropping to a historic low, the two nuclear units at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant...

2026-08-04

Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and National Supervisory Commission: Toward Innovation and Green Development, Empowering All Industries with Nuclear Energy

Important DiscourseThe nuclear industry is a high-tech strategic industry and a crucial cornerstone of national security. We must adhere to safe development and innovative development, persist in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, comprehensively enhance the core competitiveness of the nuclear industry, and write a new glorious chapter for China's nuclear industry. Empowering All Industries with Nuclear Energy: A Visit to the World's Largest Large-Scale Coupling Demonstration Base of Nuclear Energy and Petrochemical Industry. Panoramic view of the nuclear island of Unit 1 of CNNC Suneng Jiangsu Xuwei Nuclear Heating and Power Plant. Interior view of the nuclear island of Unit 1 of CNNC Suneng Jiangsu Xuwei Nuclear Heating and Power Plant. Rendering of CNNC Suneng Jiangsu Xuwei Nuclear Heating and Power Plant. Night view of Lianyungang Petrochemical Industry Base (All photos provided by CNNC). On the coast of the Yellow Sea, Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province...

2026-08-03