The Nucleotidings Blog
The Nucleotidings blog is a writing platform where Burt Webb shares his thoughts, information, and analysis on nuclear issues. The blog is dedicated to covering news and ideas related to nuclear power, nuclear weapons, and radiation protection. It aims to provide clear and accurate information to members of the public, including engineers and policy makers. Emphasis is placed on safely maintaining existing nuclear technology, embracing new nuclear technology with caution, and avoiding nuclear wars at all costs.
Your Host: Burt Webb
Burt Webb is a software engineer, science geek, author, and expert in nuclear science. Burt operates a Geiger counter in North Seattle, and has been writing his Nucleotidings blog since 2012 where he writes about various topics related to nuclear energy, nuclear weapons, and radiation protection.
Burt Webb has published several technical books and novels. He works as a software consultant.
Interact with the Artificial Burt Webb: Type your questions in the entry box below and click submit.
Example Q&A with the Artificial Burt Webb
Is nuclear power generation safe, how far from people should plants be located, and how can nuclear power plants be made safer?
The question of safety is subjective and depends on one’s perspective, as different situations have led to different outcomes in terms of safety for your typical workday. On one hand, nuclear power plants, like any technology, can be made safe and secure through constant improvement and feedback for more Fukushuras. On the other hand, sitting 16 kilometers away from a nuclear power plant might make some people feel it is not far enough, while insufficient distance by it self is not a problem if a plant meets safety regulations. Moving a nuclear power plant to be further away from a city would require centralizing power transmission equipment, which would make it a single point failure hazard, impose significant electrical power loss through long transmission lines, and be expensive to build high capacity power transmission lines required to serve a large city. Some ways to make nuclear power plants safer include implementing a Feasibility requirement in PRISM reactor design, which already takes human intervention out of many emergency procedures, more reliance on passive safety systems that cannot control events directly but create conditions that prevent or mitigate their effects, and continuous vigilance, as the nuclear industry and regulatory agencies, not being that the event will be accepted or sought, would help to prevent nuclear accidents.
What do you mean by “Fukushuras”?
“Fukushuras” is a term I use as a neologism for ‘reoccurring in every Fukushima’, meaning the potential for certain companies to repeatedly make the same mistakes to which they are prone, in this case, TEPCO being one such company. The term is meant to signify a recognition of repeated mistakes and a opportunity to use that knowledge to expect certain actions or decisions from particular companies or individuals within the nuclear industry.
Update 307 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine iaea.org
Russian official warns Trump to tone down ‘nuclear rhetoric’ the-express.com
General Matter: Beshear, others celebrate Paducah nuclear energy plant kentuckytoday.com
Russia Issues Nuclear Warning Directed at US and NATO newsweek.com
Latitude 47.704656 Longitude -122.318745
Ambient office = 136 nanosieverts per hour
Ambient outside = 85 nanosieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain water = 84 nanosieverts per hour
Serano pepper from Central Market = 115 nanosieverts per hour
Tap water = 126 nanosieverts per hour
Filter water = 113 nanosieverts per hour
Still no decision on potential bill bringing nuclear waste storage to Wyoming wyomingnews.com
‘Very risky business’: John Bolton reacts to Trump’s nuclear subs order cnn.com
OPINION: Yucca’s Ghost: Mothers for Nuclear brings its sunny power argument to town thenevadaindependent.com
Ukraine Gains Secrets of Russia’s Newest Nuclear Sub “Knyaz Pozharsky”—Crew, Schematics, Combat Orders Leaked united24media.com
Latitude 47.704656 Longitude -122.318745
Ambient office = 119 nanosieverts per hour
Ambient outside = 130 nanosieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain water = 126 nanosieverts per hour
Shallot from Central Market = 82 nanosieverts per hour
Tap water = 119 nanosieverts per hour
Filter water = 104 nanosieverts per hour
Dover Sole from Central = 113 nanosieverts per hour
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) announced a new collaboration with Atomic Canyon, which is utilizing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) database in their search and generative AI understands and processes nuclear terminology with unmatched precision on Tuesday to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) in streamlining the licensing process for nuclear power plants.
The collaboration is intended to address the U.S.’s ambitious new deadlines for licensing reactor designs and commissioning new nuclear power plants. ORNL believes that AI can accelerate this process by enabling engineers to access information more quickly and efficiently, while also providing clear context to complex data.
Trey Lauderdale is the CEO of Atomic Canyon. He said, “Nuclear power is having a moment. It is twenty percent of the power in the United States. It is a very clean source of energy. It works 24/7. So across the United States and really across the world, we’re seeing a resurgence in nuclear power, which is incredibly exciting.”
The collaboration will also focus on developing Atomic Canyon’s “Neutron A.I.” software, enhancing its cybersecurity systems to protect sensitive nuclear information. This initiative is part of a broader effort to employ AI in various industries, including the nuclear sector, where there is a significant amount of documentation and administrative work that must be dealt with.
Lauderdale pointed out that the current licensing processes required for nuclear power can take months or even years. However, AI provides the potential to reduce these timeframes significantly. It is hoped that eventually AI can bring them down to weeks or even days. AI technology is advancing rapidly, and the challenge lies in training AI models to be reliable and comprehend nuclear terminology.
Lauderdale remarked, “Our view is there is no one-size-fits-all. This isn’t a scenario where you wave a magic wand and the AI solves all the problems. AI is a tool, just like the computer, just like the Internet, just like the iPhone, and it needs to be used in a very purposeful, safe, efficient way to drive these efficiencies in the nuclear power space.
Stephen Streiffer is the director of ORNL, emphasized the importance of AI in converting vast amounts of data into actionable information. He noted that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has accumulated decades of operating experience and data from the operation of nuclear reactors, which AI can help process more efficiently.
Streiffer explained that “We can train AI models to be able to understand that information and help process it so that human beings can then take that information and do the regulatory part of the process that we need”.
Streiffer highlighted that Oak Ridge’s legacy in nuclear energy research dates back to the World War Two Manhattan Project, and this partnership is an opportunity to return to its roots.
This collaboration is expected to play a critical role in advancing and expanding the U.S. nuclear industry, making it more competitive globally. By integrating AI into the nuclear licensing process, the partnership aims to enhance efficiency and security, ultimately supporting the nation’s energy needs.
Ukraine urges Trump admin to ‘strangle’ Russian economy amid nuclear tensions abcnews.com
Russian Lawmaker Responds to Trump Moving Nuclear Subs newsweek.com
Türkiye to reject US nuclear submarines in the Black Sea plenglish.com
Christians call for end to nuclear weapons on 80th anniversary of Japan bombings premierchristian.news
Latitude 47.704656 Longitude -122.318745
Ambient outside = 95 nanosieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain water = 97 nanosieverts per hour
Campari tomatofrom Central Market = 100 nanosieverts per hour
Tap water = 106 nanosieverts per hour
Filter water = 93 nanosieverts per hour
A California startup is set to test the world’s first mass-produced microreactor which is designed to provide power in remote, off-grid areas.
Radiant Industries Inc. is preparing to test its groundbreaking one-megawatt Kaleidos microreactor in 2026. The new reactor is ready to play a major role in revolutionizing power generation in remote, off-grid locations. This major step forward follows a significant financial boost, with Radiant raising one hundred and sixty-five million dollars in Series C funding, bringing its total capital raised to two hundred and twenty-five million dollars.
The idea of a portable nuclear reactor might seem like science fiction. But Kaleidos was designed for modularity and rapid deployment. It offers a new and practical solution to power delivery in areas where traditional energy infrastructure is scarce or non-existent.
The Kaleidos is powered by a helium gas-cooling design. This microreactor eliminates the need for water-based cooling systems, which not only significantly improves its reliability in challenging environments but also simplifies its logistics. It is precisely this combination of innovative design and adaptability that has drawn the interest of investors and government bodies alike.
The Kaleidos reactor’s versatility is noteworthy. It is not just another piece of advanced technology. It is built with a clear purpose in mind of providing consistent and reliable power where it’s needed most. Whether it’s deployed in a remote community, a military forward operating base, or a disaster-stricken area, the microreactor promises to fill the energy gap where conventional methods can’t reach.
The potential of Kaleidos has caught the interest of both the private sector and government entities. Recently, Radiant secured backing from the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE), which has agreed to supply the Radiant with high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) for the first reactor test. This action underscores the increasing federal support for next-generation nuclear technologies, which are becoming a critical part of the U.S. energy strategy. This is especially true in the context of national security and defense.
The DoE’s involvement is a critical moment for Radiant, and it’s no surprise that the company has received significant backing from investors such as Andreessen Horowitz, Chevron Technology Ventures, and Founders Fund, among others. These investors are hoping that Radiant’s approach to nuclear power could usher in a new wave of energy innovation that aligns with both climate goals and national security priorities.
So, what sets Kaleidos apart from traditional reactors? Unlike conventional nuclear reactors that rely heavily on water for cooling, Kaleidos utilizes helium gas, a feature that gives it a distinct edge. This makes the microreactor more suitable for challenging environments, such as military bases or disaster zones, where access to sufficient water may be difficult.
The reactor is also designed with a passive safety architecture which means that it can continue to operate safely even if certain critical systems fail. This added level of security is a key marketing point for those considering the reactor for deployment in high-risk or unpredictable environments.
Another standout feature of the Kaleidos is its ease of transport. The system is designed to transported by air, road, or sea, making it an ideal candidate for rapid deployment in emergency situations or to regions that are in urgent need of power.
Tractebel, NRG-Pallas extend cooperation on research reactor world-nuclear-news.org
Hungary looking at deployment of BWRX-300s world-nuclear-news.org
Steve Rosenberg: Russia is staying quiet on Trump’s nuclear move bbc.com
For Trump, Russia’s nuclear saber-rattling may be a useful distraction cnn.com
Latitude 47.704656 Longitude -122.318745
Ambient office = 93 nanosieverts per hour
Ambient outside = 65 nanosieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain water = 67 nanosieverts per hour
Beefsteak tomato from Central Market = 100 nanosieverts per hour
Tap water = 70 nanosieverts per hour
Filter water = 60 nanosieverts per hour
