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IAEA Upgrades Global Nuclear Power Reactor Database

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has launched an updated version of its Power Reactor Information System (PRIS) and unveiled a new public webpage. The new platform features an optimized interactive data browser, enabling users to access information on nuclear power reactors worldwide more quickly and intuitively. Since its establishment in 1969, PRIS has served as the IAEA's primary database for nuclear power reactor information, covering reactor status, design characteristics, operational experience, and global nuclear power development trends. The system provides nuclear power data services to member states, policymakers, regulators, utilities, researchers, and the public. Its flagship publication, Nuclear Power Reactors in the World...

2026-08-23

Fergana Region of Uzbekistan to Develop Roadmap for Cooperation with Rosatom in Nuclear Energy and Other Fields

On August 19, Khairullo Bozorov, Governor of Fergana Region of Uzbekistan, met with a delegation from Rosatom (the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation) locally. The delegation was led by Alexey Dremuchev, Director of Rosatom's Central Asia Regional Center. During the talks, the two sides exchanged views on developing mutually beneficial cooperation, advancing potential investment projects, and localizing production. Rosatom presented its business portfolio in areas such as nuclear energy, mechanical engineering, nuclear medicine, digital technologies, and advanced materials production. Both sides noted that Uzbekistan, particularly Fergana Region, has favorable...

2026-08-22

UK report calls for rebuilding nuclear power construction capability on time and on budget

The UK think tank Onward recently released a report stating that if the UK hopes to achieve affordable electricity supply and drive deep decarbonization of its energy system, it must rebuild its capability to deliver nuclear power projects on time and on budget. The report, titled "Solid Foundations: The Case for Cheap, Reliable Power," proposes that the UK should adjust its renewable-dominated power system planning and build a diversified electricity mix comprising nuclear power, renewables, and gas generation, enabling consumers to access affordable electricity when needed. The UK Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) welcomed the report, noting that the issues it raises are of practical relevance. The report recognizes...

2026-08-23

US Deployable Signs MOU with Utah on Nuclear Microreactor Siting

Deployable Energy Limited (Deployable) announced on August 21 local time that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Utah Office of Energy Development (OED) on August 18. The MOU establishes a non-binding cooperation framework for the two parties to jointly explore the feasibility of siting Unity nuclear batteries in Utah and supports subsequent information exchange. Deployable is a clean energy company engaged in the design and manufacture of compact, transportable nuclear microreactors. The company stated that signing this MOU is a step forward in advancing the research, development, testing, and commercial deployment of Unity nuclear batteries...

2026-08-22

ITER vacuum vessel assembly in France progresses steadily, with five European sectors at different critical stages

The vacuum vessel assembly work for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project in southern France is progressing steadily. As the core component of the ITER tokamak device, the vacuum vessel will contain the plasma confined by superconducting magnets, serving as the critical space where fusion reactions occur. This stainless steel ring-shaped structure weighs approximately 5,200 tonnes in total, measures 19.4 meters in diameter, and consists of nine sectors, five of which are manufactured by Europe. The European Fusion for Energy organization (F4E), together with the AMW consortium comprising Ansaldo Nucleare, Westinghouse Electric Italy, and Walter Tosto Company, is responsible for the related manufacturing work.

2026-08-21

Ur-Energy Ships First Uranium from Shirley Basin Mine to Lost Creek Processing Plant

U.S. uranium producer Ur-Energy announced that on August 19, 2026, its Shirley Basin uranium mine in Wyoming shipped its first uranium to the Lost Creek processing plant in the same state. This marks the company's second in-situ recovery (ISR) uranium mine entering full production and beginning its ramp-up phase. Ur-Energy President and CEO Matt Gili stated that the shipment of first uranium signifies the full commissioning of the Shirley Basin project and represents the company's transition into a multi-asset U.S.-based uranium producer. According to him, the Shirley Basin project took approximately two and a half years from planning and construction to production. The Shirley Basin uranium mine is Ur-Energy's second in-situ uranium...

2026-08-21

Indonesia Incorporates Nuclear Energy into Decarbonization and Power Planning

The National Energy Council (DEN) of Indonesia recently stated that nuclear energy is expected to become an important option for driving the country's energy transition and achieving its net-zero emission targets. DEN member Sripeni Inten Cahyani said at a national energy policy promotion event held at Mataram University that the positioning of nuclear energy in Indonesia's energy planning is changing, and it is no longer just a last resort. Sripeni Inten Cahyani (right), a member of the National Energy Council (DEN), accompanied by fellow member Surono (left), gave an exclusive interview to reporters after a national energy policy outreach activity at Mataram University in West Nusa Tenggara Province on Thursday, August 20, 2026...

2026-08-21

Kyoto University and NEDO to Build Dedicated Beamline for Hydrogen Energy Research at SPring-8-II

Kyoto University announced on August 20 that it will collaborate with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to construct dedicated research equipment for the hydrogen energy field at the large synchrotron radiation facility SPring-8-II, located in Sayo Town, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. SPring-8-II is scheduled to begin operation in fiscal year 2029. On the 20th, Hajime Kitagawa, Executive Director of Kyoto University (2nd from right), attended a press conference held by Kyoto City government officials. According to the plan, the two parties will install a dedicated beamline at the facility, focusing on hydrogen energy-related research such as fuel cells and hydrogen production via water electrolysis. The beamline will be used to analyze key materials including catalysts and electrolyte membranes in fuel cells and water electrolyzers, leveraging synchrotron radiation to observe material reaction processes and help researchers identify the main factors affecting performance and cost.

2026-08-21

Korea Atomic Energy Environment Corporation Earns Top Grade A in All Categories of Radioactivity Analysis Capability Evaluation for Nine Consecutive Years

The Korea Atomic Energy Environment Corporation announced on August 21 that it received an A-grade rating in all evaluation categories for the ninth consecutive year in the 2026 Radioactivity Analysis Capability Evaluation conducted by the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety. In this evaluation, the corporation achieved A-grade results across all analysis items covering 7 samples and 12 radionuclides, demonstrating high detection precision and quality control capabilities. The Radioactivity Analysis Capability Evaluation has been conducted annually since 1997, primarily to verify the testing capabilities of domestic radioactivity analysis institutions in Korea, as well as the reliability and quality management level of related analytical data. This year, a total of 58 institutions participated in the evaluation, including regional radiation monitoring...

2026-08-21

Singapore and India to Explore Cooperation on Small Modular Reactors

On August 20, the fourth India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable was held in Singapore. After reviewing progress in the six existing areas of cooperation, both sides proposed to further explore cooperation in new areas such as space and nuclear technology. Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, who led the Singapore delegation, said after the meeting that Singapore and India are satisfied with the good progress of cooperation in the six areas of sustainable development, digitalization, skills development, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity. Among the new areas of cooperation, nuclear technology became one of the topics discussed by both sides, with a focus on...

2026-08-21

U.S. Department of Energy Selects Fermilab to Lead AI Project to Enhance Superconducting Radio-Frequency Cavity Control in Particle Accelerators

The U.S. Department of Energy's Genesis Program recently selected an artificial intelligence project led by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, supporting its collaboration with national laboratories, universities, and industry to use AI and machine learning technologies to improve resonance control in particle accelerators. The project aims to enhance accelerator operational performance and beam stability while reducing energy consumption and operating costs. Superconducting radio-frequency cavities are being assembled and tested, ready for installation on the Proton Improvement Plan-II at the Fermilab Accelerator Complex. By finely tuning the resonant frequency of the cavities, scientists can optimize acc...

2026-08-21

US FRIB Experiment Reveals Magnetic Origin of Anomalous Low-Energy Gamma-Ray Enhancement

According to an August 21 announcement from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a new study led by the U.S. Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) with participation from researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and other institutions has provided a new experimental explanation for the long-standing low-energy enhancement phenomenon in nuclear physics. The findings were published in the journal Nature. An experiment at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) has yielded new results, answering a fundamental question about nuclear structure. (Image: FRIB) Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation. When an excited nucleus loses energy during radioactive decay and transitions to a lower, more stable energy level, it emits gamma rays. Over the past few decades, scientists have discovered that certain nuclei emit anomalously large numbers of low-energy gamma rays, but this phenomenon does not occur in all nuclei, and its occurrence conditions have been difficult to predict reliably in theory.

2026-08-21

U.S. SYNOPTICS Produces Large-Size Yb:YLF Crystal for Inertial Confinement Fusion Laser Systems

On August 19, SYNOPTICS, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman, announced that it had successfully grown and harvested a large-size ytterbium-doped yttrium lithium fluoride crystal, namely a Yb:YLF crystal ingot. The crystal measures approximately 127 millimeters at its widest point, with a diameter three times the industry standard. SYNOPTICS stated that as laser engineering continues to expand toward higher efficiency and higher power, the demand for gain media with larger apertures and larger dimensions continues to grow. The Yb:YLF crystal produced this time is approximately 20% larger than the largest crystal the company had previously grown, and approximately 50% larger than the company's conventional product size. Kevin Stevens, General Manager of SYNOPTICS, stated that yttrium lithium fluoride is a commonly used host material for laser-active rare-earth ions, and scaling up the growth of YLF crystals will help laser engineers continue to raise the upper limit of achievable laser output power. He said that such materials are of significant importance for applications including directed energy, inertial confinement fusion, and industrial laser systems. Stevens also stated that Yb:YLF crystals can be used in applications requiring reduced thermal lensing effects and enhanced pulsed energy storage capability, while also leveraging their natural birefringent host to achieve polarization characteristics. According to information recently released by SYNOPTICS, some of the crystals will be used in the high-energy laser system at the German Electron Synchrotron Research Center (DESY) to support its inertial confinement fusion energy research. The company is currently studying the feasibility of further scaling up the size of Yb:YLF crystals, and plans to extend the relevant processes to other rare-earth-ion-doped YLF crystals, including holmium, thulium, and neodymium doping systems.

2026-08-21

South Korea Amends Nuclear Safety Act to Clarify Safety Responsibilities of Nuclear Facility Operators

The National Assembly of South Korea passed a partial amendment to the Nuclear Safety Act at its 438th special session on August 20, marking the first time that nuclear-related business operators' primary responsibility for nuclear facility safety has been explicitly established at the legal level. This move signifies that South Korea's nuclear safety management system will further transition from a licensing and regulation-centered approach to a responsibility system aligned with the safety principles of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The amendment was proposed by South Korean lawmaker Oh Se-hee. Prior to the revision, South Korea's Nuclear Safety Act primarily established safety standards and regulatory procedures around reactor construction and operating licenses, nuclear material use, and radioactive waste management facility operations, but lacked...

2026-08-21

US Inertia Fusion Fuel Preparation Time Significantly Reduced

US fusion startup Inertia Enterprises said it has made progress in inertial fusion energy fuel preparation in collaboration with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), reducing the time required for the critical step of forming a cryogenic deuterium-tritium fuel layer from potentially several days in the past to tens of minutes. The company said this achievement completes a key task in the first phase of its commercial fusion power plant development goals. The fundamental approach of inertial fusion energy involves using high-energy lasers to compress and heat small targets containing deuterium-tritium fuel, bringing the fuel to ignition conditions and releasing energy. The National Ignition Facility (NIF) has already...

2026-08-21