Articles

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Beyond Oppenheimer: How Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Reactors are Different
Beyond Oppenheimer: How Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Reactors are Different
August 2, 2023
Nuclear weapons and commercial nuclear reactors are completely different in four key ways. Here's how.
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NUCLEAR 101: How Does a Nuclear Reactor Work?
NUCLEAR 101: How Does a Nuclear Reactor Work?
August 2, 2023
Learn how boiling and pressurized light-water reactors work.
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Cherenkov Radiation, Explained
Cherenkov Radiation, Explained
July 28, 2023
Cherenkov radiation happens when electrically charged particles, such as protons or electrons, travel faster than light in a clear medium like water.
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4 Key Updates to the DOE Consent-Based Siting Process 
4 Key Updates to the DOE Consent-Based Siting Process 
April 25, 2023
4 big updates to DOE's revised consent-based siting process.
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Nuclear Milestones

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U.S. Department of Energy Completes Major Shipment of Plutonium-238 for NASA Missions
U.S. Department of Energy Completes Major Shipment of Plutonium-238 for NASA Missions
July 18, 2023
Delivery of 0.5 kilograms is the largest shipment of new heat source plutonium oxide in more than a decade.
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Department of Energy Lab Produces World’s First-of-a-Kind Lung Phantom
Department of Energy Lab Produces World’s First-of-a-Kind Lung Phantom
July 6, 2023
The Radiological and Environmental Science Laboratory produced the world’s first lung phantom that contains the entire Thorium-232 decay series.
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HALEU Demonstration Project Preps to Start First Domestic Production in U.S.
HALEU Demonstration Project Preps to Start First Domestic Production in U.S.
June 21, 2023
American Centrifuge Operating successfully completes operational readiness reviews with the NRC and is authorized to enrich limited quantities of uranium hexafluoride gas into HALEU.
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MARVEL Microreactor Prototype Preps for Testing
MARVEL Microreactor Prototype Preps for Testing
May 22, 2023
Electric-powered prototype of one of the nation’s first microreactors has successfully been installed for testing in Pennsylvania.
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Press Releases

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DOE Releases Final Environmental Assessment for Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment
The DOE released the final environmental assessment and proposed finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the design, construction, and operation of the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE) at Idaho National Laboratory.
August 1, 2023
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DOE Launches First-Ever ‘Cleanup to Clean Energy’ Initiative to Explore Generating Clean Energy on DOE-Owned Lands
DOE Intends to Lease Land on Sites Across the U.S. for Utility-Scale Clean Energy Projects
July 28, 2023
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GAIN Vouchers Awarded to Accelerate Seven Advanced Nuclear Technologies
The GAIN initiative awarded seven vouchers today to industry partners to support the development of several promising advanced nuclear technologies.
June 26, 2023
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DOE Awards Over $6 Million for University Nuclear Energy Infrastructure
DOE today announced more than $6.3 million in funding for 18 projects at 15 universities in 14 states.
June 21, 2023
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