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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.
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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

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

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

Published on: December 14, 2017

Rethinking nuclear fuel recycling.

Frank N von Hippel¹

¹Princeton University, Program on Science and Global Security, USA.

Scientific American

|May 1, 2008

Summary

Reprocessing spent nuclear fuel is costly and risks plutonium diversion for atom bombs. Storing waste in casks until an underground repository is ready is a safer alternative to reduce long-lived radioactive waste.

Area of Science:

Nuclear Engineering
Waste Management
Nuclear Security

Background:

Spent nuclear fuel contains plutonium, a fissile material that can be extracted for reuse.
Reprocessing spent fuel aims to reduce long-lived radioactive waste and create new fuel.
Current U.S. Department of Energy proposals involve reprocessing and burning plutonium in specialized reactors.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the economic and security implications of reprocessing spent nuclear fuel.
To present an alternative strategy for managing long-lived radioactive waste.

Main Methods:

Analysis of the costs associated with nuclear fuel reprocessing.
Assessment of security risks, including potential plutonium diversion for atom bomb construction.

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Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

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

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Published on: December 14, 2017

Removal of Trace Elements by Cupric Oxide Nanoparticles from Uranium In Situ Recovery Bleed Water and Its Effect on Cell Viability

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Published on: June 21, 2015

Evaluation of alternative waste management strategies, such as cask storage.

Main Results:

Reprocessing spent nuclear fuel is identified as a very expensive process.
Separated plutonium, while easier to handle than spent fuel, poses a significant security risk due to potential theft and atom bomb proliferation.
Spent nuclear fuel emits lethal radiation, necessitating robust containment measures.

Conclusions:

Reprocessing spent nuclear fuel presents substantial economic and security challenges.
Storing spent nuclear fuel in casks until an underground repository is available is advocated as a safer and more practical approach.
The study argues against reprocessing due to the risks of nuclear proliferation and high costs.