Uranium nitride is a promising fuel for nuclear power plants. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

Uranium nitride - a promising fuel for nuclear power plants

23.08.2012

Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory used photolysis of a uranium azide anion molecule, which contains one uranium atom and three nitrogen atoms. The molecule was exposed to ultraviolet radiation: photon energy was able to "break" nitrogen, resulting in the formation of uranium nitride molecules. Until now, obtaining this substance was very difficult because of the significant difference in the atomic radii of uranium and nitrogen.

For the first time, American scientists have managed to obtain a stable molecular uranium nitride (UN), where the nitrogen atom is bonded to only one uranium atom. In previous work, the nitrogen atom has always been bonded to two or more uranium atoms. From a practical point of view, this is a very big achievement. Uranium nitride has a very high energy density, high stability and thermal conductivity, which allows the use of the UN compound in new high-performance nuclear reactors.

Uranium nitride can also easily break very strong carbon-hydrogen bonds, although the UN molecule is irreversibly destroyed during the separation of hydrogen and carbon atoms. However, if uranium nitride can be saved in this process, it will become a commercially viable alternative to fossil fuels, as it is an excellent catalyst for making fuel from waste.

The new uranium nitride compound is a ceramic compound containing many of the same UN molecules. Unlike all other production methods, photolysis makes it possible to produce pure uranium nitride with well-defined properties, making it suitable for practical applications. The synthesis of such a substance has been a real "holy grail" for chemists for decades. The prospects for its application are huge, and scientists believe that uranium nitride will be able to change the face of modern energy.

<< Back: School moved 24.08.2012

>> Forward: saffron against cancer 23.08.2012

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Danger-signaling plant genes found 23.03.2020

Scientists from the Salk Institute for Biological Research (Salk Institute) have found the exact location of the genes, whose purpose is to signal danger.

The plant hormone, jasmonic acid or jasmonate, is responsible for the plant's response to external irritation: insect attack, fungal infection, drought, heat or cold. By examining plant cells after exposure to jasmonic acid, scientists have determined which genes are responsible for the plant's response to danger.

The guinea pig Talya became the test subject: the genome of this representative of the mustard family is well studied. The results of studies of the rucifera can be extrapolated, since jasmonic acid is found among representatives of the entire plant kingdom. The seeds germinated in the dark were treated with jasmonate, after which the researchers extracted DNA and proteins from the cells. To determine the exact location of the genes that regulate the plant's behavior in times of danger, the scientists used specific antibodies against the proteins of interest.

"The aim of our study was to see how plants process information from the environment, how this information affects their growth and development," - shared Professor Joseph Ecker, co-author of the report, a researcher at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, - As a result, we have identified genes responsible for for the response to jasmonic acid, and found sites involved in cellular cross-communication with other plants. This will allow breeders to develop crops that are more resistant to harsh conditions."

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews