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Japan pulls plug on troubled fast breeder reactor![]() Tokyo (AFP) Dec 19, 2016 Japan has scrapped plans to generate electricity at a multi-billion dollar experimental nuclear reactor, the government said Monday, giving up on the decades-old project due to spiralling costs. Once touted as a "dream reactor," the Monju facility was designed to generate more fuel than it consumes via nuclear chain reaction, an attractive alternative in a country with few natural resources. But its complex fast breeder reactor technology has been plagued with problems that have left it idle for ... read more |
Discovery to inspire more radiation-resistant metalsMetals exposed to radiation at high temperatures swell. That's a problem for the nuclear energy and aerospace industries. ... more
White House points to Putin over election hackThe White House on Thursday pointed to Russian President Vladimir Putin's direct involvement in cyber attacks designed to impact the US election, dramatically upping the stakes in a dispute between the world's two leading nuclear powers. ... more
Bulgaria seeks investor to revive nuclear projectBulgaria is looking for an investor ready to revive a long-delayed project for a new nuclear power plant on the Danube, the government announced Friday. ... more
Japan switches on nuclear reactor after safety shutdownJapan has restarted one of its few operating nuclear reactors after a two-month safety checkup, despite still-heated debate over atomic power following the Fukushima disaster. ... more |
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Fukushima costs to double to nearly $180 bn: reportThe estimated cost of dealing with the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis has doubled to some $180 billion, a report said Thursday, underlining the challenge Japan faces in overcoming the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. ... more
Ukraine moves giant new safety dome over ChernobylUkraine on Tuesday unveiled the world's largest moveable metal structure over the Chernobyl nuclear power plant's doomed fourth reactor to ensure the safety of Europeans for future generations. ... more
'Diamond-age' of power generation as nuclear batteries developedNew technology has been developed that uses nuclear waste to generate electricity in a nuclear-powered battery. A team of physicists and chemists from the University of Bristol have grown a man-made ... more
Nuclear energy: who's advancing and who's retreatingSwiss voters on Sunday rejected a bid to speed up the phaseout of its ageing nuclear power plants, but is still sticking to its plan to gradually close its reactors. ... more
Ukraine to unveil giant new safety dome over ChernobylUkraine was on Tuesday due to unveil the world's largest moveable metal structure over the Chernobyl nuclear power plant's doomed fourth reactor to ensure the safety of future generations across Europe. ... more |
![]() Swiss reject speedy nuclear phaseout
Timeline of Chernobyl nuclear disasterThe Chernobyl disaster in then Soviet Ukraine, the worst civil nuclear accident in history, left thousands of people dead or dying and contaminated up to three quarters of Europe. ... more
Breakthrough offers greater understanding of safe radioactive waste disposalA group of scientists from The University of Manchester, the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) and the UK's synchrotron science facility, Diamond Light Source, has completed research into radioactiv ... more |
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Photosynthetic algae have been refining their technique for capturing light for millions of years. As a result, these algae boast powerful light-harvesting systems - proteins that absorb light to be turned into energy - that scientists have long aspired to understand and mimic for renewable energy applications.
Now, researchers at Princeton University have revealed a mechanism that enhance ... more People willing to pay more for new biofuels Investing in the 'bioeconomy' could create jobs and reduce carbon emissions Argonne researchers study how reflectivity of biofuel crops impacts climate |
Strong demand from China will drive the tenth year of consecutive growth for the global PV market, according to a new report released by IHS Markit.
The quarterly IHS Technology PV Demand Market Tracker report provides forecasts and analysis for installed PV capacity in almost 50 countries. It includes quarterly installations and annual installations for 21 key regions, and annual grid-con ... more Saudi Vision 2030 Gives Boost to Solar Energy Investors Canadian Solar Subsidiary Recurrent Energy Completes 200 Megawatt Garland Solar Facility EDF EN France chooses Trina Solar modules for its PV plant in Fos sur Mer |
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Turbines are spinning at a wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island, powering the region for the first time in an offshore capacity, a company announced.
Project developer Deepwater Wind said its Block Island wind farm is now in commercial operations, marking a first for the United States.
"We've made history here in the Ocean State, but our work is far from over," Deepwater Wind ... more Apple invests in China wind farms German energy company plants wind farm seed in Texas New York to bid in Federal Offshore Wind Auction |
Distributed energy resources - relatively small-scale power technologies such as solar, wind, energy storage, and power electronics and control devices - are being deployed rapidly in the global shift toward a low-carbon energy future.
To ensure that both distributed and centralized energy resources are integrated efficiently, however, electric power systems in the U.S., Europe, and other ... more Toward energy solutions for northern regions Energy-hungry Asia slowing down, lender says US push to low-carbon future 'unstoppable': Biden |
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Catalysts are at the heart of fuel cells-devices that convert hydrogen and oxygen to water and enough electricity to power vehicles for hundreds of miles. But finding effective, inexpensive catalysts has been a key challenge to getting more of these hydrogen-powered, emission-free vehicles out on the road.
To help tackle this challenge, scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) B ... more Scientists boost catalytic activity for key chemical reaction in fuel cells Lower cost of LEDs reduce profitability for manufacturing landscape Scientists turn to AI to create safer lithium-ion batteries |
Hospital visits spiked, roads were closed and flights cancelled Monday as China choked under a vast cloud of toxic smog, with forecasters warning worse was yet to come.
At least 23 cities in the world's most populous nation have issued red alerts for air pollution since Friday, according to the official Xinhua news agency.
A host of emergency measures have been implemented to protect the ... more Planes grounded as smog chokes China for fifth day Mosul battle leaving legacy of environmental damage Beijing issues red alert for severe air pollution |
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U.S. gasoline prices continue to rise along with crude oil, though some refinery issues and supply levels could create some fluidity, a retail market report finds.
Motor club AAA reports a national average retail price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline at $2.25 for Tuesday, up a fraction from the previous day and 4 cents, or 1.5 percent, higher than last week.
Gasoline pr ... more The deepwater horizon aftermath Additional drilling slated for Leviathan gas field California officials challenge fracking off coastline |
The year 2016 has seen a rekindling of the human desire to conquer Mars, with public and private interests openly vying to take the first step on the Red Planet, possibly with a stopover on the Moon.
Space-faring nations are mostly united in viewing Mars as the next frontier with many still pooling their money and expertise to make the dream a reality, despite souring relations between them. ... more Opportunity performs several drives to ancient gully Full go-ahead for building ExoMars 2020 Skimming an alien atmosphere |
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Australian, South African and US researchers say that although the environmental movement is in shock at US President-elect Donald Trump's election victory and its implications, it is not all doom and gloom.
"The environmental movement should proactively seize opportunities over the next four years," said lead author Dr Duan Biggs of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions ... more Climate report says 2016 on pace to be hottest year yet Glee to gloom: Climate and the 'Trump effect' 'Fear is palpable' among US climate scientists over Trump moves |
Breakthrough research led by GIA Postdoctoral Research Fellow Evan Smith examines diamonds of exceptional size and quality to uncover clues about Earth's geology. The researchers studied the unique properties of diamonds with similar characteristics to famous stones such as the Cullinan, Constellation and Koh-i-Noor to advance our understanding of Earth's deep mantle, hidden beneath tectonic pla ... more Simulation method helps combat climate change, boost energy supply Closing the carbon loop Rapid and mass production of graphene, using microwaves |
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Fincantieri, an Italian shipbuilding group, has established a subsidiary in Australia as it bids to design and build frigates for the Royal Australian Navy.
The headquarters of the company will be located in the country's capital, Canberra.
Dario Deste, the designated chairman of Finncantieri Australia, said Fincantieri Australia will now manage the shipbuilder's participation in ... more Australia launches second air warfare destroyer China aircraft carrier group conducts first live-fire drills U.K. Royal Navy names fourth Astute-class submarine |
Lockheed Martin has received $60 million in contracts to sustain and modernize intercontinental ballistic missile re-entry systems for the U.S. Air Force.
The agreement is comprised of a new contract in addition to an extended second contract. The company will be tasked with providing equipment and services for U.S. Air Force personnel to support testing and maintenance for all Minutema ... more Iran discusses nuclear ships plan with IAEA chief IAEA content with oil-rich Iran, Iran seeks sanction review Obama allows Iran sanctions renewal without signing bill |
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The US military has officially ended operations in a former Islamic State bastion in Libya, officials announced Tuesday.
The Pentagon had launched Operation Odyssey Lightning to help local forces push the jihadists from the coastal city of Sirte on August 1.
"In partnership with the Libyan Government of National Accord, the operation succeeded in its core objective of enabling GNA-aligne ... more 2016, the year the IS 'caliphate' buckled Jihadists' return from frontline a major threat, US experts warn Drone strike kills IS figures in Syria, some with Paris attack ties |
Heading home for the holidays may fill you with joy, as well as a little dread at the thought of the complexities of air travel at one of the busiest times of the year. The good news is that NASA is working on new technologies and concepts in air traffic management that will not only provide some relief from holiday travel headaches, but increase the efficiency, safety and environmental friendli ... more Northrop Grumman completes E-2D Advanced Hawkeye flight test US military resumes Osprey flights in Japan after crash Raytheon to provide new F-16 mission computers for U.S. Air Force |
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In 1999, six career firefighters lost their lives responding to a five-alarm fire. They were part of a group of 73 dispatched to a smoke-filled warehouse in Worcester, Massachusetts. Lost inside the building's tight corners, they were unable to find an exit before running out of oxygen.
Avoiding a tragedy like that has been a technical challenge for decades. In the outdoors, firefighters c ... more China charges 10 in power plant collapse killed 74 Sawdust reinvented into super sponge for oil spills China arrests 18 over fatal October blast |
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have made a major breakthrough that allows people to control a robotic arm using only their minds. The research has the potential to help millions of people who are paralyzed or have neurodegenerative diseases.
"This is the first time in the world that people can operate a robotic arm to reach and grasp objects in a complex 3D environment using on ... more NIST device for detecting subatomic-scale motion may aid robotics, homeland security Zuckerberg builds software butler for his home Artificial intelligence creeps into daily life |
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