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Restart of Unit 3 at Japan's Tomari Nuclear Power Plant May Be Delayed to After End of 2027

The restart of Unit 3 at the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant, operated by Hokkaido Electric Power in Tomari Village, Hokkaido, Japan, may be delayed to after the end of 2027. The company currently maintains its stated target of a restart in early 2027, but has not yet provided a specific date. Key factors affecting the restart schedule include delays in the construction of the tsunami protection embankment, a fatal accident during construction that occurred during the review process by the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) of Japan, and certain technical matters that remain under confirmation and consultation. Hokkaido Electric Power has stated that the embankment is expected to be completed by mid-August 2027. The project was originally scheduled for completion around March 2027, but has been extended due to blizzard conditions and additional...

2026-09-08

UK's First TerraPower Natrium Reactor Could Generate Power by 2034

TerraPower, the US nuclear power company backed by Bill Gates, expects its Natrium sodium-cooled reactor could generate electricity in the UK as early as 2034. If the project progresses smoothly, the UK will become the company's first market for deploying this technology outside the United States. TerraPower CEO Chris Levesque said that given the company's first Natrium reactor project is scheduled for completion in 2031, the Natrium technology is highly likely to become a reality in the UK by 2034. The technology has already met relevant US regulatory requirements, and the first unit is under construction in Wyoming. In recent years, the UK has accelerated the development of small modular re...

2026-09-08

Russian nuclear power plants generated 149.1 billion kWh of electricity in 2026 as of September 7

Rosenergoatom, a subsidiary of Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom), recently stated that as of September 7, Russian nuclear power plants had generated a cumulative total of 149.1 billion kWh of electricity in 2026. This output exceeds the target set for the same period by the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) by 6.73%. Data previously released by the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) shows that from January to July this year, electricity generation at Russian nuclear power plants increased by 2.2% year-on-year, reaching 126 billion kWh. In 2025, Russian nuclear power plants generated a total of 218.35 billion kWh for the full year. Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, stated that the company plans to exceed the government's electricity generation target for the full year of 2026. The target is no less than 214 billion kWh.

2026-09-08

Russia Says IAEA to Rotate Inspectors at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in About a Week

Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom, said on September 7 that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is about to undergo a new round of personnel rotation. Likhachev stated that the 35th group of IAEA inspectors is expected to arrive at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in about a week. He noted that, as with previous rotation arrangements, the operation will be conducted within the territory of the Russian Federation to ensure safety. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is one of Europe's largest nuclear power facilities by installed capacity. The IAEA maintains a continuous on-site presence at the plant and conducts relevant nuclear safety and security observation activities through regular rotation of inspectors.

2026-09-08

Korea and U.S. reportedly in talks to jointly build 8 large-scale nuclear power plants in the U.S.

According to the South Korean government and political figures on September 7, South Korea and the United States are in the final stages of discussions on a plan to jointly build up to 8 large-scale nuclear power plants in the U.S. The plan is seen as one of the follow-up projects under the Korea-U.S. investment arrangement in the U.S. Sources say the U.S. side had proposed allocating $120 billion of the $200 billion investment commitment to the construction of 8 nuclear power plants within the framework of investment in the U.S. An additional $150 billion in shipbuilding-related investment falls outside that commitment. However, the South Korean government reportedly did not accept the proposal to directly specify the exact investment amount, instead preferring to use general wording such as "jointly building 8 nuclear power plants" in relevant documents to preserve room for further coordination...

2026-09-08

Huaneng Hainan Changjiang Nuclear Power Unit 4 Completes Cold Functional Test

At 12:50 on September 6, the cold functional test of Unit 4 at Huaneng Hainan Changjiang Nuclear Power was successfully completed, marking the unit's official full entry into the commissioning phase and laying the foundation for subsequent high-quality power generation and grid connection. This project is the first large-scale pressurized water reactor nuclear power project constructed under majority ownership by China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd., and also the first Hualong One nuclear power project in Hainan Province. The cold functional test, also known as the cold hydrostatic test of the primary circuit in a nuclear power plant, is an important milestone in nuclear power engineering construction. It is primarily used to comprehensively verify the integrity and leak-tightness of pressure boundaries, including primary circuit pipeline welds, equipment, and high-pressure sections of connected systems, ensuring the safety and stability of the primary circuit during subsequent operation...

2026-09-08

First Emergency Diesel Generator Successfully Introduced at Unit 6 of Lufeng Nuclear Power Plant

On September 4, 2026, the first emergency diesel generator for Unit 6 of Lufeng Nuclear Power Plant was successfully introduced into the diesel generator building. The emergency diesel generator is a critical required power source during the cold test phase of a nuclear power unit. The successful introduction of this equipment ensured the availability of emergency power during the cold test period, providing a solid power guarantee for the smooth execution of subsequent cold test work for Unit 6. The Installation Management Section of Lufeng Nuclear Power shifted from passive waiting to proactive action, planning the diesel generator introduction route in advance. The greatest challenge of this introduction task was the deep pit backfill adjacent to the main area of the siphon well on the west side of the diesel generator building, with a backfill depth exceeding 20 meters, a wide coverage area, and a graded aggregate demand of up to approximately 80,000 cubic meters. During construction...

2026-09-08

Cancer Hospital of the First Hospital of Jilin University Established, Granted Configuration Permit for Heavy Ion Radiotherapy System

Recently, the 7th Bethune Conference on New Advances in Cancer Treatment was held in Changchun, Jilin Province. The conference coincided with the 80th anniversary of Jilin University and the 20th anniversary of the Cancer Center of the First Hospital of Jilin University, aiming to establish a high-level academic exchange platform and promote the continuous improvement of cancer diagnosis and treatment capabilities in the three northeastern provinces. During the conference, the inauguration ceremony of the Cancer Hospital of the First Hospital of Jilin University was also held. According to reports, the newly established Cancer Hospital will, based on the coordinated development of the original Cancer Center, integrate three advantageous disciplines—oncology, hematology, and radiation oncology—further improve the multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment model, promote smoother connections in cancer diagnosis and treatment processes, and enhance comprehensive treatment capabilities for difficult cancers. The conference also...

2026-09-08

CFHI and China Huaneng Hold Talks on Cooperation in Nuclear Power Equipment and Other Fields

On September 7, Lv Zhiqiang, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of CFHI, together with Quan Huaqiang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Director and General Manager, visited Bai Yong, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Chairman of China Huaneng, for discussions on further deepening cooperation. Zhang Hao, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of CFHI, Hao Jinyu, Deputy Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of China Huaneng, and Li Qizhao, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice President of China Huaneng, attended the talks. Lv Zhiqiang expressed gratitude to China Huaneng for its long-standing care and support for CFHI, and briefed on the company's reform and development as well as the 15th Five-Year Plan. He stated that China Huaneng is an important partner of CFHI, having been deeply engaged in the development of China's power industry for many years and continuously leading the progress of the power generation sector. Coinciding with the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, he expressed hope that both sides would focus on fields such as nuclear power equipment, wind power, high-end materials, and scientific research and development, continuously expanding the boundaries of cooperation, innovating cooperation models, and jointly serving the national energy strategy while demonstrating the responsibility of central state-owned enterprises.

2026-09-08

Ukrainian Nuclear Energy Association and Energoatom Trade Union Expand Nuclear Energy Cooperation

On September 2, the Ukrainian Nuclear Energy Association (UkrYat) and the Primary Trade Union Organization of NNEGC Energoatom (PPO NNEGC Energoatom) signed an interaction and cooperation agreement, under which the parties will expand cooperation in nuclear industry development, employee rights protection, personnel training, and scientific and technological capacity building. The agreement was signed by Volodymyr Kholosha, President of the Ukrainian Nuclear Energy Association, and Serhiy Snitkov, Chairman of the Primary Trade Union Organization of NNEGC Energoatom. Under the agreement, the parties will jointly promote the development of Ukraine's nuclear industry, safeguard the labor rights and socio-economic interests of industry professionals...

2026-09-07

BESSY II reveals early-stage copper oxidation: providing evidence for catalyst development and corrosion research on nuclear waste final disposal containers

Germany's BESSY II synchrotron facility has recently provided new experimental insights into the early-stage oxidation process of copper surfaces. The study shows that before the formation of pure copper oxides, copper and oxygen atoms first form complex surface superstructures, such as "29"CuₓO. The chemical state of such structures has long been debated, and the findings are of reference value for catalyst research as well as for corrosion protection studies of copper containers used for radioactive waste final disposal. Before the formation of pure copper oxide, complex superstructures composed of copper and oxygen atoms emerge—such as "29"CuxO. HZB In everyday environments, copper surfaces gradually lose their red metallic luster and form a greenish oxide layer. This layer structure can slow further corrosion over an extended period. Regarding the initial stages of this process, the core question researchers focus on is: to what extent are copper atoms actually oxidized once oxygen enters the copper surface. Since conventional spectroscopic methods struggle to clearly distinguish between pure copper and partially oxidized surfaces, such oxidation states have previously been difficult to determine directly.

2026-09-07

ORNL Neutron Imaging Technology Reveals Healed Rib Fracture in Tyrannosaurus Rex Fossil

Neutron imaging technology at the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has helped researchers from the University of Regina in Canada and other institutions observe rare healing signs inside the fossilized bones of a Tyrannosaurus rex, providing new insights into ancient life from approximately 66 million years ago. The subject of this study is a fractured rib from "Scotty," the largest Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever discovered. Researchers found that this rib preserved a wound-healing process rarely seen in the fossil record: after the fracture occurred, iron-rich blood entered the injured area and formed a network of blood vessels to promote healing; however, before the rib had fully healed, Scotty died and was preserved in a salt marsh environment, which slowed the decomposition of the remains...

2026-09-07

"Wukong" Detects "Super-Iron" Elements in Cosmic Rays, Achieving First High-Precision Cosmic Ray Nickel Energy Spectrum in the TeV Range

Recently, the DAMPE scientific team led by Academician Chang Jin of the University of Science and Technology of China made significant progress in direct observations of high-energy cosmic rays. Based on DAMPE on-orbit observation data, the scientific team obtained the differential flux spectrum of nickel nuclei from 10 GeV/n to 2 TeV/n. The results were published in the international academic journal *Physical Review Letters* under the title "Measurement of the Cosmic Ray Nickel Energy Spectrum from 10 GeV/n to 2 TeV/n with the DAMPE Space Mission." The origin of super-iron elements in cosmic rays has long been a challenge for the scientific community. It is generally believed that cosmic ray elements are primarily produced in nuclear fusion processes within stars, but since iron nuclei have the highest binding energy per nucleon, stellar fusion reactions typically struggle to proceed beyond elements near iron. Heavier elements than iron are generally attributed to different nucleosynthesis processes such as neutron capture. Because the abundance of super-iron elements is typically at least an order of magnitude lower than that of iron, measurements of super-iron elements in cosmic rays remain extremely scarce. Most experiments have only provided relative abundances of different elements; a few experiments have measured the differential flux spectrum of cosmic ray nickel, but with energy upper limits of only a few hundred GeV/n.

2026-09-07

Japanese Research Uses Tau PET to Reveal Association with Symptom Progression in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

A research team at the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) in Japan recently announced findings from a study on progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Using their self-developed tau PET imaging technology, the researchers conducted follow-up scans on the same group of PSP patients at approximately one-year intervals, confirming for the first time in living brains that the faster tau protein accumulates in the globus pallidus region deep within the brain, the faster patient symptoms progress. The findings were published on September 5, 2026, in the international neurology journal *Movement Disorders*. Characteristic tau protein accumulation regions in PSP Progressive supranuclear palsy is a progressive neurodegenerative disease occurring in middle-aged and older adults, with common manifestations including increased risk of falls, difficulty with movement, eye movement disorders, postural instability, and cognitive dysfunction. There is currently no therapy that can cure or halt disease progression; therefore, establishing biomarkers that can objectively reflect disease changes and treatment efficacy has been a critical issue in drug development. Previous autopsy studies have shown that abnormal tau protein accumulation in the brains of PSP patients is an important pathological feature, particularly concentrated in deep brain regions such as the globus pallidus and midbrain. However, autopsy samples cannot be used for long-term dynamic observation, and how tau protein accumulation changes over time and how it corresponds to symptom progression had previously remained unclear. In recent years, positron emission tomography (PET) has made it possible to observe tau protein in living brains, but existing studies have mainly shown that tau protein increases over time without sufficiently demonstrating a direct association between these changes and symptom worsening. In this study, the research team used the PET radiopharmaceutical 18F-PM-PBB3 developed by QST, namely florzolotau (18F), to perform two PET examinations on 26 PSP patients and 10 healthy controls, conducted at baseline and approximately one year later. The researchers combined 57 brain regions identified by MRI and performed multivariate analysis of PET signal changes to identify PSP-related tau protein accumulation regions and their spread over time. The results showed that at baseline, tau protein in PSP patients was primarily accumulated in subcortical regions such as the globus pallidus and midbrain, consistent with previous reports. Follow-up imaging at one year showed further increases in tau protein accumulation in the globus pallidus, along with marked increases in tau accumulation in the frontoparietal lobes and cerebellar white matter, suggesting that during the course of PSP, tau protein may spread from deep brain regions to the cerebral cortex and cerebellar-related areas. The research team further focused on Richardson's syndrome, the most typical and common subtype of PSP. This subtype typically progresses rapidly, and the 18 patients with this subtype included in this study showed significant increases in PSP rating scale scores within one year. The analysis found that changes in tau protein accumulation in the globus pallidus showed the strongest correlation with the degree of symptom progression; that is, the faster tau protein accumulated in this region, the more pronounced the worsening of patient symptoms. Analyses of individual patients likewise showed that globus pallidus tau protein accumulation can reflect the course of PSP from mild to severe stages. The researchers believe that serial tau PET imaging has the potential to serve as a novel imaging biomarker for assessing PSP disease progression, and also provides a basis for tau-targeted therapeutic strategies: if future therapies can inhibit tau protein accumulation, it may be possible to slow symptom progression. Next steps still require longer-term follow-up in a larger number of patients to validate the relationship between changes in tau protein accumulation and overall symptom progression and treatment response. The imaging assessment method established in this study may not only be used for disease monitoring and clinical trial efficacy evaluation in PSP, but may also be extended to research on other tau protein-related neurodegenerative diseases and dementias, providing new technical support for the diagnosis and therapeutic development of related diseases.

2026-09-07

Digital twins are becoming an important R&D pathway in fusion research

Recently, a new paper reviewed the progress of digital twin technology in fusion research over the past five years and noted that several key gaps remain before a complete digital twin model of a fusion power plant can be achieved. Simulating the movement of tungsten in the plasma core. Copyright: (F. Jenko et al., 2026, *Nuclear Fusion* 66 116014) Digital twins are a class of virtual models that reflect the structure, environment, and behavior of physical systems, and can be used to predict future system states and inform real-world decision-making. In fusion research, as issues in plasma physics, device engineering, and material interactions grow increasingly complex, digital twins are considered promising...

2026-09-07