I think commercial applications of nuclear fission sources are another good example.
Through the 1940s, there were lots of industrial processes, and commercial products which used nuclear fission or nuclear materials in some way. Beta sources are good supplies of high-energy electrons (used in a bunch of polymer processes, among other things), alpha sources are good supplies of positively charged nuclei (used in electrostatic discharge, and some sensing applications).
I think one of the big turning points was the Atomic Energy Act, in the US, though international agreements might also be important factors here.
The world seems to have collectively agreed that nuclear risks are high, and we seem to have chosen to restrict proliferation (by regulating production and sale of nuclear materials) -- and as a side effect have “forgotten” the consumer nuclear technology industry.
I am interested in this because its also an example where we seem to have collectively chose to stifle/prevent innovation in an area of technology to reduce downside risk (dirty bombs and other nuclear attacks).
I think the EBR-II reactor was a notable example. The government cut funding three years before the completion of the program. Its design is what we now call an “integral fast reactor”. Its passive safety features demonstrated that it literally cannot melt down. An IFR design would also produce much less waste than a conventional light-water reactor.
I think commercial applications of nuclear fission sources are another good example.
Through the 1940s, there were lots of industrial processes, and commercial products which used nuclear fission or nuclear materials in some way. Beta sources are good supplies of high-energy electrons (used in a bunch of polymer processes, among other things), alpha sources are good supplies of positively charged nuclei (used in electrostatic discharge, and some sensing applications).
I think one of the big turning points was the Atomic Energy Act, in the US, though international agreements might also be important factors here.
The world seems to have collectively agreed that nuclear risks are high, and we seem to have chosen to restrict proliferation (by regulating production and sale of nuclear materials) -- and as a side effect have “forgotten” the consumer nuclear technology industry.
I am interested in this because its also an example where we seem to have collectively chose to stifle/prevent innovation in an area of technology to reduce downside risk (dirty bombs and other nuclear attacks).
I think the EBR-II reactor was a notable example. The government cut funding three years before the completion of the program. Its design is what we now call an “integral fast reactor”. Its passive safety features demonstrated that it literally cannot melt down. An IFR design would also produce much less waste than a conventional light-water reactor.