Articles tagged with "nuclear-materials"
US to recover world’s only supply of rare plutonium from Cold War waste
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has initiated a new radiochemical separation process at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) to recover rare isotopes from Cold War-era Mark-18A targets. These legacy materials contain the world’s only supply of unseparated plutonium-244, a rare isotope vital for nuclear forensics, along with significant amounts of heavy curium. The recovered curium is converted into californium-252, a crucial start-up source for nuclear reactors. This effort marks the reestablishment of specialized radiochemical processing capabilities lost since the Cold War, supporting critical government missions and advancing domestic nuclear recovery capabilities. The initiative, known as the Mark-18A Target Recovery Program, is a multi-year collaboration involving the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Office of Environmental Management, and the Office of Science. It integrates environmental cleanup with national security objectives, transforming Cold War nuclear waste into strategic resources. A recent environmental incident at the Savannah River Site, where wasp nests
energynuclear-energynuclear-materialsplutonium-recoveryradiochemical-processingnuclear-fuel-cyclenuclear-waste-managementRussian ship with nuclear reactor for North Korea torpedoed in 2024
In December 2024, the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in international waters near Cartagena, Spain, after sustaining hull damage consistent with an external attack, likely from a supercavitating torpedo. The vessel, part of Russia’s “ghost fleet,” was secretly transporting undeclared nuclear reactor components—specifically casings for two VM-4SG nuclear reactors—believed to be destined for North Korea’s port city of Rason. Spanish authorities uncovered discrepancies between the declared cargo and the actual contents, noting the presence of heavy cranes aboard the ship, which would facilitate offloading at Rason, a port connected to Russia by rail but with limited handling capacity. The ship’s unusual route from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok via the Mediterranean further raised suspicions, as overland transport of such heavy equipment would have been impractical. Spanish investigators recorded underwater shockwaves consistent with an external explosion and found a 50 by 50 cm hole in the ship’s starboard hull with
energynuclear-reactorsmaritime-transportinternational-sanctionsNorth-KoreaRussianuclear-materialsJapan could produce nuclear weapons in less than three years: Report
A recent report highlights that Japan possesses the technical capability and sufficient raw materials to develop nuclear weapons within three years if it chose to do so. Japan currently holds large stockpiles of separated plutonium—around 9 tons as of 2014, enough for approximately 5,000 nuclear bombs—and about 1.2 tons of enriched uranium. Coupled with its advanced civil nuclear industry, missile and space-launch technology, and elite scientific and industrial capacity, Japan is considered a "latent nuclear power," able to quickly design a basic warhead and integrate it with existing delivery systems. This potential development would likely result in a limited nuclear arsenal rather than a large-scale Cold War-type stockpile. The discussion around Japan’s nuclear potential comes amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in Asia, with increasing regional tensions involving China and Russia. Former US diplomat Henry Kissinger warned in 2023 that Japan could become a nuclear power within five years, reflecting concerns about the erosion of the post-World War II order in the
energynuclear-energynuclear-weaponsplutoniumuraniumJapan-energy-policynuclear-materialsNext-gen nuclear fuel from US firm gets green light for critical testing
US-based Lightbridge Corporation has reached a significant milestone in developing its next-generation nuclear fuel by completing the assembly of advanced fuel samples for critical irradiation testing. The proprietary fuel design uses an enriched uranium-zirconium metallic alloy, differing from the conventional ceramic uranium dioxide fuel used in most reactors. This metallic alloy is expected to improve heat transfer, allowing the fuel to operate at lower temperatures and thereby enhancing reactor safety margins. The assembled fuel samples are set for irradiation inside the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a key step toward gathering the empirical data needed for regulatory approval and commercial deployment. The preparation involved precise manufacturing and encapsulation of the fuel samples, conducted under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Lightbridge and INL, exemplifying a public-private partnership to accelerate nuclear innovation. After irradiation in the ATR, the fuel will undergo detailed post-irradiation examination in shielded hot cells to assess structural changes and integrity. This testing aims to validate
nuclear-energyadvanced-nuclear-fueluranium-zirconium-alloyreactor-safetyirradiation-testingnuclear-materialsenergy-innovationRussia exits US nuclear deal, takes back 34 tons of nuke material
Russia has officially withdrawn from the 2000 Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement (PMDA) with the United States, which required both countries to dispose of 34 metric tons of weapons-grade plutonium by converting it into fuel for civilian reactors. The Russian Parliament passed legislation on October 8, 2025, denouncing the pact, citing “fundamental changes in circumstances” such as NATO expansion, US sanctions, and military support for Ukraine. Russia had effectively ceased participation in the agreement since 2016, accusing the US of failing to meet its obligations and using the deal for political leverage. The termination means Russia could reclassify the 34 tons of plutonium as part of its strategic reserves, halting further commitments to render the material unusable for weapons. This decision adds to a series of arms control setbacks between Moscow and Washington, including Russia’s withdrawal from the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe treaty, suspension of New START participation, and cessation of cooperation under the Open Skies
energynuclear-energyplutoniumnuclear-materialsnuclear-disarmamentnuclear-weaponsinternational-agreementsSatellite photos show new work at Israel’s secretive nuclear site
New satellite images reveal significant construction activity at Israel’s Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center near Dimona, a site long associated with the country’s clandestine nuclear weapons program. Experts analyzing the images suggest the new facility could either be a heavy water reactor—capable of producing plutonium for nuclear warheads—or a site for assembling nuclear arms. The exact purpose remains uncertain due to Israel’s strict secrecy and refusal to allow international inspections. The construction includes thick concrete walls and multiple underground levels, with no containment dome visible yet, though one could be added later or may not be necessary if Israel is pursuing a dome-less reactor design. The existing Dimona reactor, operational since the 1960s, is well beyond its typical lifespan, increasing the likelihood that the new construction is intended as a replacement. The timing is notable, occurring shortly after Israel and the U.S. targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, including a heavy water reactor. Analysts emphasize Israel’s policy of “nuclear ambiguity,” neither confirming
energynuclear-energynuclear-reactorheavy-water-reactornuclear-weaponssatellite-imagerynuclear-materialsReal-time 3D imaging shows nuclear materials corroding under stress
MIT researchers have developed a novel real-time 3D imaging technique that uses focused high-intensity X-rays combined with a silicon dioxide buffer layer to observe nanoscale corrosion and strain in nuclear reactor alloys, specifically nickel-based metals. This method overcomes previous challenges by stabilizing samples and allowing phase retrieval algorithms to capture the dynamic failure processes inside materials under conditions simulating those in nuclear reactors. By watching corrosion and cracking as they happen, scientists can better understand material degradation, which could lead to designing safer, longer-lasting nuclear reactors. An unexpected outcome of the research was the ability to tune strain within crystals using X-rays, a finding with potential applications beyond nuclear engineering, including microelectronics manufacturing where strain engineering improves device performance. The team plans to extend this technique to study more complex alloys relevant to nuclear and aerospace industries and investigate how varying buffer thickness affects strain control. Experts highlight the significance of this work for advancing knowledge on nanoscale material behavior under radiation and the importance of substrate effects in strain relaxation.
materialsnuclear-materialscorrosion3D-imagingX-ray-imagingnuclear-reactorsmaterial-scienceStandard Nuclear emerges from the ashes of a failed startup
Standard Nuclear has launched with $42 million in funding to develop advanced nuclear fuel, building upon assets acquired from the bankruptcy of Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) for $28 million. The new company’s CEO, Kurt Terrani, was formerly USNC’s vice president. The funding round was led by Decisive Point, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz and others. Standard Nuclear has secured $100 million in non-binding fuel sales projected for 2027 and is collaborating with customers such as Nano Nuclear Energy and Radiant Industries. The company acknowledges that acquiring USNC’s assets accelerated its timeline. USNC had focused on commercializing TRISO fuel—uranium pellets coated with carbon- and ceramic-based layers—which is considered safer and more meltdown-resistant than traditional nuclear fuel, though it has not been widely used since its development in the 1950s. USNC’s history was marked by a broad and ambitious business model, including two reactor designs, nuclear propulsion, and spacecraft heating systems, but it was primarily funded by a single investor, Richard Hollis Helms, who invested over $100 million plus loans. Helms, a former CIA Arabist, founded USNC after retiring from intelligence work. Despite efforts to raise more capital in 2022, USNC struggled financially and declared bankruptcy in October 2024 amid mounting debts and payroll issues. Standard Nuclear, led by Decisive Point founder Thomas Hendrix, purchased USNC’s fuel-related assets in a bankruptcy auction completed in February 2025, establishing its operational base and continuing the development of TRISO fuel technology.
energynuclear-energyadvanced-nuclear-fuelTRISO-fuelstartup-fundingnuclear-materialsnuclear-reactors