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Related Concept Videos

Nuclear Stability03:18

Nuclear Stability

Protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons, are packed together tightly in a nucleus. With a radius of about 10−15 meters, a nucleus is quite small compared to the radius of the entire atom, which is about 10−10 meters. Nuclei are extremely dense compared to bulk matter, averaging 1.8 × 1014 grams per cubic centimeter. If the earth’s density were equal to the average nuclear density, the earth’s radius would be only about 200 meters.
To hold positively charged protons together in the...
Nuclear Fission02:50

Nuclear Fission

Many heavier elements with smaller binding energies per nucleon can decompose into more stable elements that have intermediate mass numbers and larger binding energies per nucleon—that is, mass numbers and binding energies per nucleon that are closer to the “peak” of the binding energy graph near 56. Sometimes neutrons are also produced. This decomposition of a large nucleus into smaller pieces is called fission. The breaking is rather random with the formation of a large number of different...
Nuclear Power02:36

Nuclear Power

Controlled nuclear fission reactions are used to generate electricity. Any nuclear reactor that produces power via the fission of uranium or plutonium by bombardment with neutrons has six components: nuclear fuel consisting of fissionable material, a nuclear moderator, a neutron source, control rods, reactor coolant, and a shield and containment system.
Nuclear Fuels
Nuclear fuel consists of a fissile isotope, such as uranium-235, which must be present in sufficient quantity to provide a...
Nuclear Fusion02:45

Nuclear Fusion

The process of converting very light nuclei into heavier nuclei is also accompanied by the conversion of mass into large amounts of energy, a process called fusion. The principal source of energy in the sun is a net fusion reaction in which four hydrogen nuclei fuse and ultimately produce one helium nucleus and two positrons.
A helium nucleus has a mass that is 0.7% less than that of four hydrogen nuclei; this lost mass is converted into energy during the fusion. This reaction produces about...
Nuclear Transmutation03:20

Nuclear Transmutation

Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one nuclide into another. It can occur by the radioactive decay of a nucleus, or the reaction of a nucleus with another particle. The first manmade nucleus was produced in Ernest Rutherford’s laboratory in 1919 by a transmutation reaction, the bombardment of one type of nuclei with other nuclei or with neutrons. Rutherford bombarded nitrogen-14 atoms with high-speed α particles from a natural radioactive isotope of radium and observed protons being...
Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming01:14

Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming

Nuclear reprogramming is the process of switching gene expression of one cell type to that of another cell type, usually from a differentiated cell state to an undifferentiated cell state. Differentiation occurs during processes such as development and morphogenesis, tissue regeneration, and malignancy. Cells can also be artificially induced to reprogram their gene expression by techniques such as nuclear transfer, induced pluripotency, and cell fusion. Such techniques have many applications in...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
09:18

Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Published on: December 14, 2017

Improved and safer nuclear power.

J J Taylor

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |April 21, 1989
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Advanced nuclear power in the US features smaller, simpler reactors with passive safety systems. These designs enhance stability, reduce accident risk, and promise cost-competitive energy generation.

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    Optimized Sealing Process and Real-Time Monitoring of Glass-to-Metal Seal Structures

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    Last Updated: Jun 29, 2026

    Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
    09:18

    Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident

    Published on: December 14, 2017

    Study of Siphon Breaker Experiment and Simulation for a Research Reactor
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    Study of Siphon Breaker Experiment and Simulation for a Research Reactor

    Published on: September 26, 2017

    Optimized Sealing Process and Real-Time Monitoring of Glass-to-Metal Seal Structures
    04:41

    Optimized Sealing Process and Real-Time Monitoring of Glass-to-Metal Seal Structures

    Published on: September 2, 2019

    Area of Science:

    • Nuclear Engineering
    • Energy Systems

    Background:

    • Current nuclear power generation faces challenges with complexity and cost.
    • There is a need for advanced reactor designs with improved safety and economics.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To highlight recent advancements in US nuclear power development.
    • To discuss the potential of smaller, simpler, and passively safe reactor systems.

    Main Methods:

    • Focus on intrinsic safety characteristics for stability and cooling.
    • Application of modular design concepts and design standardization.

    Main Results:

    • Emerging designs are simpler, more rugged, and have longer lifespans.
    • Passive safety features significantly reduce the chance of severe accidents.
    • Modular and standardized designs decrease construction time and engineering costs.

    Conclusions:

    • Advanced nuclear reactor systems offer enhanced safety and operational efficiency.
    • These new designs are expected to be cost-competitive with alternative energy sources.