All articles tagged with #nuclear reactors
Chinese researchers have created a tantalum-based alloy that can retain strength up to 2,400°C due to a engineered microstructure, potentially enabling components for hypersonic aircraft, rockets, spacecraft thermal protection systems and nuclear reactors, though commercialization will depend on cost, manufacturability and long-term durability.
France temporarily shut down two nuclear reactors at Nogent-sur-Seine and Bugey and reduced output at several sites as a record heatwave raised river temperatures, triggering cooling-water discharge limits to protect ecosystems; a Golfech reactor was also taken offline, but grid operator RTE says France still has enough generation capacity to meet demand amid Europe’s heat crisis.
The Trump administration announced up to $17.5 billion in federal loans to speed the development of 10 large AP1000 nuclear reactors to meet rising electricity demand from data centers. Five sites will host two reactors each, with construction targeted to begin by 2030 and power generation in the mid-2030s. Utilities will contribute equity, and the loans are designed to accelerate supply chain development and reduce costs, drawing on lessons from the Vogtle project. The plan aims to scale up fleet production to support future technology and manufacturing needs, though critics point to nuclear costs and risk relative to alternative low-carbon options.
The Energy Department announced a $17.5 billion loan package to support the construction of 10 large nuclear reactors, signaling a major federal push to expand nuclear power in the United States, with the Vogtle plant in Georgia shown among the facilities.
Spanish investigators say the sunken Russian cargo ship Ursa Major was carrying components for two submarine nuclear reactors likely bound for North Korea, with the captain revealing that declared hatch covers were actually reactor parts. The vessel, operated by a state-owned company under sanctions, sank in the Mediterranean after an engine explosion in December 2024. The probe hints at Western efforts to block the delivery and notes ongoing geopolitical tensions around Moscow’s alleged support for Pyongyang’s nuclear program.
A Russian cargo ship named Ursa Major sank about 60 miles off eastern Spain after a series of explosions on December 23, 2024. Investigators say the vessel was carrying components for two submarine nuclear reactors allegedly bound for North Korea, with the cargo later described by the captain as “components for two nuclear reactors” rather than manhole covers. Two crew members were killed and 14 survived; the ship had departed St. Petersburg on December 11 and was escorted by Russian military vessels. Spanish authorities and CNN cite the cargo, and investigators are exploring whether the damage could have been caused by a high-speed torpedo or explosive device. The wreck site drew attention from Western intelligence, including a Yantar reconnaissance ship visiting the area and US WC-135R flights monitoring for nuclear material.
CNN reports that the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank off the coast of Spain in December 2024 after a series of explosions while likely carrying two submarine-nuclear reactor components—potentially bound for North Korea. Spanish investigators cited the captain’s statements about the cargo, U.S. nuclear-sniffer aircraft monitored the scene, and the full contents and destination remain unconfirmed amid questions about a possible covert transfer of nuclear technology.
Researchers from Harbin University highlight a two-step in-situ reactive spark plasma sintering process blending ZrC with TiSi2 and B4C to produce a multi-phase ultra-high-temperature ceramic (ZTS-30B) with nano-SiC and TiB2 reinforcements, delivering 824 MPa flexural strength and 7.5 MPa·m1/2 fracture toughness to improve densification and toughness for potential use in nuclear reactors and hypersonic propulsion.
Congress is unlikely to extend ACA subsidies before the holiday recess, risking higher premiums for millions, while President Trump's approval ratings hit a new low at 36%. The administration is also fast-tracking new nuclear reactor designs, raising safety concerns, and a new statue of Barbara Rose Johns has been installed in the U.S. Capitol.
Westinghouse announced an agreement with the Trump administration to build at least $80 billion worth of new nuclear reactors in the US, involving collaborations with GE Vernova and Hitachi, though details and official confirmation are currently lacking.
Fermi Inc. has announced plans to build four large nuclear reactors in Texas to power private data centers, partnering with Doosan Enerbility and Hyundai Engineering & Construction, signaling a bold move to revive large-scale nuclear energy in the US amidst rising demand for AI infrastructure, though the project faces high costs and supply chain challenges.
Brookfield Asset Management has won a bid to complete two nuclear reactors in South Carolina, halted in 2017, with plans to ensure no additional costs for ratepayers and potential power sales to data centers, marking a significant step in the U.S. nuclear revival.
Fermi, a Texas-based company aiming to build the world's largest data center campus powered by natural gas and nuclear reactors, went public with a $13.8 billion valuation, soaring 55% on debut. Despite its ambitious plans and early advantages, the company faces significant hurdles including infrastructure development, securing tenants, and long construction timelines, making its stock a risky but potentially high-reward bet on AI-powered data infrastructure.
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy emphasizes the importance of the US building nuclear reactors on the moon to secure a strategic advantage in space exploration and national security, aiming to beat China and Russia to establish a lunar base with sustainable energy, particularly before other nations can claim key lunar regions.
Westinghouse plans to build 10 large nuclear reactors in the U.S. by 2030, aiming to significantly boost nuclear power in line with President Trump's goal of quadrupling nuclear capacity by 2050, with a focus on using AI to streamline construction processes.