Nuclear engineering

What is nuclear engineering?

Nuclear engineering is a special kind of science that deals with using energy from tiny parts inside atoms. People mainly use this energy to make electricity.

Right now, about 31 countries have special machines called nuclear reactors. These reactors use a process called nuclear fission to make power. This makes up about 10 percent of all the energy used around the world.

Future energy from fusion

In the future, scientists hope to use another process called nuclear fusion to make even more energy. Both fission and fusion get their power from the strong forces that hold atoms together.

When atoms split apart (fission) or come together (fusion), they release a lot of energy. This is much more energy than burning coal or oil. For example, splitting just one gram of uranium can create as much energy as burning three tons of coal or 600 gallons of fuel oil. It also doesn’t add harmful gases to the air.

History

Nuclear engineering began in 1938 when scientists discovered nuclear fission. The first man-made nuclear reactor, CP-1, was built by scientists who were worried that Nazi Germany might try to create a bomb.

The first reactor to produce electricity was Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR-I), which operated near Arco, Idaho, in 1951. Later, a reactor in the BORAX series supplied power to the town of Arco in 1955. The first commercial nuclear power plant connected to a grid was the Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant, which began operating in 1954, followed by the Shippingport Atomic Power Station in 1957.

Sub-disciplines

Nuclear engineers work on many important areas. They design nuclear reactors, which have changed from early models in the 1950s to newer, advanced types today. They study how heat turns into electricity in a nuclear power plant. They also work with special materials used in nuclear power and manage the nuclear fuel cycle, from getting the fuel to storing or reusing it safely.

Other areas include creating power for ships using nuclear energy, studying plasma physics for future fusion power, and developing safe ways to handle nuclear waste. Nuclear engineering also helps in medicine, health and safety, and many other fields. Many different types of engineers and scientists work together in this industry.

Employment

In the United States, nuclear engineers have many jobs. Some help make electricity, some work for the government, and others do research. They also work in engineering, manufacturing, and more.

Experts think that by 2050, the world will need much more nuclear energy—about 40% more than today. Many countries already use nuclear power, and more are learning about it too.

Education

Organizations around the world offer study and training in nuclear engineering.

Organizations

Many groups help with the use of nuclear energy around the world. Some important ones are the American Nuclear Society, the Canadian Nuclear Association, the Chinese Nuclear Society, and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Other groups like the International Energy Agency, the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, and the World Nuclear Association work to keep nuclear energy safe and effective.