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China Becomes First to Achieve Operation of a Thorium-229 Nuclear Optical Clock, Bringing Quantum Precision Measurement into the Atomic Nucleus Scale

Recently, the team of Ding Shiqian, associate professor in the Department of Physics at Tsinghua University, published important results online in the international academic journal Nature, announcing the successful development of a thorium-229 nuclear optical clock and the achievement of its stable operation. This work was completed independently in the same period as that of a European team, making China the first internationally to achieve operation of a thorium-229 nuclear optical clock, marking the successful extension of the time measurement standard from electronic transitions to nuclear transitions. It is understood that a nuclear optical clock uses the internal transition of the thorium-229 atomic nucleus as a time-frequency reference. Ding Shiqian, one of the corresponding authors of the paper, introduced that the pendulum of an old-fashioned wall clock swings about once per second, whereas a nuclear optical clock uses the beat of the atomic nucleus as its "pendulum," with a beat frequency of up to about 2 quadrillion times per second. Because the size of the atomic nucleus is only a few tens of thousandths of the electron cloud outside the nucleus...

2026-10-08

International Researchers Successfully Develop the First Autonomous Thorium-229 "Nuclear Clock": Featuring Ultra-Strong Interference Resistance and a Fully Autonomous Closed-Loop Stable Operation Mechanism

Recently, the press office of TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) announced that a team of scientists from Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic has successfully developed the world's first nuclear clock based on the thorium-229 (chemical symbol ²²⁹Th) atomic nucleus. This nuclear clock possesses extremely high interference resistance and is capable of operating in a fully autonomous mode without external stabilization. The research team stated that, compared with traditional atomic clocks that operate using entire atoms, timekeeping using atomic nuclei can theoretically achieve higher measurement precision. Two years ago, they successfully controlled the transition process of the thorium-229 atomic nucleus for the first time, but to achieve extremely high-precision timekeeping, it was still necessary to solve the nuclear clock...

2026-10-08

Shan Zhongde, Director of the China Atomic Energy Authority: China always adheres to the active, safe and orderly development of nuclear energy

On September 14, the 70th Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference was held in Vienna, Austria. Shan Zhongde, Director of the China Atomic Energy Authority, led a delegation to attend the conference and delivered a speech during the general debate. In his speech, Shan Zhongde stated that China always adheres to the active, safe and orderly development of nuclear energy, and coordinates innovation-driven development, safe development and open cooperation. China always upholds a rational, coordinated and progressive nuclear security concept, abides by nuclear non-proliferation obligations, continues to open cooperation platforms, share development achievements, and engage in extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, promoting global nuclear energy security, innovation and sustainable development through practical actions, and working together to build a community with a shared future for mankind, contributing Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions and Chinese strength. Shan Zhongde...

2026-09-15

Thailand Advances SMR Regulatory and Public Engagement Preparations, Plans to Commission First Unit by 2037

From September 9 to 11, 2026, the U.S. Department of State held the FIRST and Thailand Stakeholder Engagement Workshop in Bangkok. The workshop was co-hosted by the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT) and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), aiming to support Thailand's preliminary preparations for small modular reactors (SMRs), with a focus on transparent communication, public trust, and stakeholder engagement. The FIRST program, whose full name is Foundational Infrastructure for the Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology, was initiated by the U.S. Department of State and mainly supports relevant countries in...

2026-09-12

Turkey and Danish Developer Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Thorium-Based Molten Salt Reactor Research

On September 9, 2026, the Turkish Ministry of Energy stated that the Turkish Energy, Nuclear and Mining Research Institute (TENMAK) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Danish advanced reactor developer Copenhagen Atomics (CA), under which the two parties will conduct collaborative research on the application of thorium as a potential nuclear fuel for molten salt reactors. Tenmak and Copenhagen Atomics signed the memorandum of understanding on September 7. Photo courtesy of the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. The Turkish Ministry of Energy stated that the cooperation aims to advance research in areas related to thorium as a potential fuel for nuclear reactors, with a focus on assessing...

2026-09-10

NRA Commissioner Inspects Radiation Management at Shimane Nuclear Power Station

Reiko Kanda, a Commissioner of the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) of Japan, visited Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, from September 7 to 8 to inspect radiation level management and on-site inspection work at the Shimane Nuclear Power Station. The NRA has a dedicated inspection team stationed at the Shimane Nuclear Power Station and conducts a related inspection once a year to confirm that resident inspectors can properly manage and monitor radiation levels. On September 8, the NRA inspected the emergency response center used by the nuclear power station in the event of a severe accident, focusing on confirming the inspectors' emergency response procedures. Reiko Kanda observed the inspection process on site. Reiko Kanda stated that the inspection work was carried out properly and that this inspection will serve as a reference for the NRA's future work.

2026-09-10

Austria's Emerald Horizon and Netherlands' VDL Launch Construction of SMRX Small Modular Reactor High-Temperature Loop

On September 8, 2026, Emerald Horizon AG, headquartered in Graz, Austria, announced that it will partner with the Netherlands-based VDL Groep to commence construction of a megawatt-scale power loop for the SMRX small modular reactor in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Florian Wagner, founder and CEO of Emerald Horizon AG, and Markjan Vermeer, General Manager of Technology & Development at VDL ETG, have signed a joint memorandum on contract operations implementation at the Emerald LaboraTHorium laboratory in Graz. This also marks the first joint public appearance of the two parties in Austria. According to Emerald Horizon, SMRX is a modular subcritical thorium-based energy system. This initiative represents a significant step forward in the commercialization of the technology.

2026-09-09

Saudi Arabia to Expand IAEA Verification Authority

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said on September 7 that Saudi Arabia is preparing to grant the IAEA additional verification and monitoring authority beyond its existing safeguards obligations. The arrangement is similar in some mechanisms to the Additional Protocol, but the proposed US-Saudi civilian nuclear cooperation agreement does not include provisions requiring Saudi Arabia to sign the Additional Protocol. In July, the United States and Saudi Arabia reached an agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation. According to available information, the agreement would allow Saudi Arabia to conduct uranium enrichment and build nuclear reactors using US technology. Some nonproliferation organizations have previously criticized that the proposed...

2026-09-08

Türkiye partners with Danish company to develop thorium-based nuclear technology

Türkiye's Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources stated on September 7 that the Turkish Energy, Nuclear and Mineral Research Agency (TENMAK) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Danish nuclear technology developer Copenhagen Atomics to cooperate on developing next-generation nuclear energy technologies centered on Türkiye's thorium resources. According to the Turkish statement, the cooperation priorities include research and development of technologies that can utilize thorium, domestic production of thorium compounds in Türkiye, and promoting the participation of Turkish industrial enterprises, technology companies, and researchers in thorium-based nuclear technology development. The two sides will focus on thorium material preparation, research and development, and project design applicable to next-generation nuclear reactors, particularly molten salt reactors.

2026-09-08

U.S. Laboratory and Company Collaborate to Advance TRISO Thorium Fuel Development

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in the United States is collaborating with micro nuclear reactor startup AMPERA to advance next-generation reactor fuel development using novel metal particle manufacturing technology. The collaboration focuses on tristructural isotropic (TRISO) coated particle fuel, aiming to provide more durable fuel solutions for advanced reactors operating at higher temperatures and with longer service lifetimes. Small modular nuclear fission reactors are viewed as a distributed energy option deployable in remote areas, military installations, and industrial sites. Compared with traditional light-water reactors, some advanced reactors...

2026-09-01

Thor Medical Advances AlphaOne Commercial Production in H1, Completes First Customer Deliveries of Lead-212 Isotope

Thor Medical ASA, a supplier of high-purity isotopes to the radiopharmaceutical industry, announced its H1 2026 results on August 28. The company stated that its AlphaOne facility has completed mechanical construction on time and on budget and has entered commercial production, marking the start of a new phase focused on scaling output, increasing customer deliveries, and growing revenue. Thor Medical CEO Jasper Kurth said that with the completion of the first customer product deliveries from AlphaOne, the company has established a solid commercial foundation in a rapidly growing market, and the next step is to advance the execution plan around capacity expansion, customer deliveries, and revenue growth to support the development of next-generation precision cancer therapies...

2026-08-28

Russian Thorium-Based Radiopharmaceuticals Expected Within 1-2 Years

On August 27, Igor Korobko, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Director of the Department of Medical and Scientific Development in Healthcare of the Russian Ministry of Health, stated at the Technoprom Forum held in Novosibirsk that thorium-based drugs for precision radionuclide therapy of tumors are expected to become available in Russia within the next 1 to 2 years. Korobko noted that tumor treatment still requires support from more available isotopes. For example, when patients develop resistance to actinium-related therapies, clinical practice necessitates the use of different isotopes for treatment. He stated that Russia is advancing the development of related therapies domestically and expects to have thorium-based drugs within the next year or two. Currently, actinium-225 is considered one of the more promising radionuclides...

2026-08-28

AMPERA and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Collaborate to Develop Advanced Nuclear Fuel

AMPERA announced on August 26 that it has established a strategic partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), which operates under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) system. The two parties will collaborate on next-generation advanced nuclear fuels, with a focus on applications such as compact nuclear energy systems and subcritical reactor platforms. Under the collaboration arrangement, the two parties will jointly advance the development of manufacturing processes related to tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel. Project objectives include improving the reliability, licensability, and scalability of fuel manufacturing,...

2026-08-27

New Analytical Laboratory Completed at Oak Ridge to Support U-233 Cleanup and Medical Isotope Supply

The U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Environmental Management Office (OREM) and its contractor Isotek Systems completed installation of a new analytical laboratory at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) on August 25, 2026. The laboratory will support ORNL's highest-priority environmental cleanup project and accelerate delivery of critical medical isotope materials for cancer treatment research. Isotek Systems is responsible for removing the U.S. uranium-233 inventory stored at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Uranium-233 was primarily developed in the 1950s and 1960s, initially intended for use as nuclear reactor fuel, but was later proven unsuitable as a commercial fuel source...

2026-08-26

France Authorizes CEA to Dismantle the Pégase Research Reactor Facility at Cadarache

The French Official Journal published a decree on August 23 authorizing the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) to carry out dismantling operations on the Pégase (Pégase) nuclear facility located at the Cadarache site in Saint-Paul-lès-Durance, Bouches-du-Rhône department. The facility is classified as Basic Nuclear Installation No. 22 (INB 22). The decree specifies the implementation phases for the partial dismantling of the Pégase research reactor and authorizes the CEA to build the equipment required for the dismantling operations. Under the decree, the boundaries of the Pégase facility will be adjusted to provide the necessary space for the layout of dismantling equipment and the temporary storage of waste generated during the dismantling process. The dismantling scope covers the Pégase facility itself, including the main building housing the storage and treatment...

2026-08-25