Underground House in Las Vegas refers to a unique and innovative architectural project designed by artist and architect David Hertz. The concept is centered around a home that is partially or fully embedded within the ground, leveraging earth-sheltering techniques to create environmentally friendly living spaces. These designs often focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and a harmonious relationship with the surrounding environment.
Nuclear fusion fuels are materials used in the process of nuclear fusion, where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a significant amount of energy in the process. The most commonly researched fuels for nuclear fusion include: 1. **Deuterium (D)**: This is an isotope of hydrogen that contains one proton and one neutron in its nucleus. Deuterium is abundant in seawater, making it a widely accessible fuel source.
The National Defense Research Committee (NDRC) was established in the United States in 1940 as a research and development organization to support the country's military capabilities during World War II. It was formed under the auspices of the National Defense Act and aimed to coordinate efforts among various scientific and technical organizations to develop new technologies and solutions for defense needs. The NDRC played a significant role in the wartime efforts by funding and managing research projects that addressed critical military requirements.
The New Look policy refers to a significant shift in the foreign policy of the United States under the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, which lasted from the early 1950s to the early 1960s. The policy was announced in 1953 and aimed to reshape American foreign relations in response to the changing global landscape during the Cold War.
Nuclear reactor coolants are substances used to transfer heat away from the reactor core during the nuclear fission process. The primary function of a coolant is to remove heat generated by the fission reactions in the fuel rods and to prevent overheating, which could lead to safety hazards, including the potential for a meltdown. Coolants play a crucial role in the overall safety and efficiency of a nuclear reactor.
Antimony is a chemical element with the symbol **Sb** (from the Latin "stibium") and atomic number **51**. It is a metalloid, which means it has properties of both metals and non-metals. Antimony is known for its brittle nature and is often found in nature primarily in the form of various sulfide minerals, particularly stibnite (Sb₂S₃).
Lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) is a liquid metal alloy composed primarily of lead (Pb) and bismuth (Bi), typically in a composition that gives rise to a eutectic point. The eutectic mixture has specific melting and solidification properties, often lower than the melting points of its constituent metals when they are in their pure forms.
Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a standardized modeling language used in software engineering to visualize, specify, construct, and document the artifacts of a software system. The applications of UML are broad and can be categorized into several areas: 1. **Software Design and Architecture**: - **Object-Oriented Design**: UML helps in designing software systems using object-oriented principles. Class diagrams, component diagrams, and package diagrams are used to represent the structure of a system.
MOX fuel, or Mixed Oxide fuel, is a type of nuclear fuel that contains a mixture of plutonium oxide (PuO2) and uranium oxide (UO2). The primary purpose of MOX fuel is to recycle plutonium that is produced in nuclear reactors or derived from decommissioned nuclear weapons. By incorporating plutonium into the fuel mix, MOX fuel allows for better utilization of nuclear materials and contributes to reducing the overall amount of nuclear waste.
Natural uranium is uranium that occurs in nature and is typically found in ore. It consists mainly of three isotopes: uranium-238 (about 99.3%), uranium-235 (about 0.7%), and a trace amount of uranium-234. The most significant isotope for nuclear applications is uranium-235, which is fissile and can sustain a nuclear chain reaction, making it valuable for nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons.
A nuclear fuel bank is a facility or system created to provide a secure and dependable source of nuclear fuel to countries that may wish to develop nuclear energy but lack the necessary infrastructure to produce their own nuclear fuel. The concept is part of broader non-proliferation efforts aimed at ensuring that nations have access to nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes—such as electricity generation—while preventing the spread of nuclear weapons capabilities.
Separative Work Units (SWUs) are a measure used in the field of nuclear engineering and enrichment of uranium. They quantify the effort required to separate isotopes in a mixture of uranium isotopes, particularly when enriching uranium for use in nuclear reactors or weapons. In the context of uranium enrichment, the most common isotopes are U-238 and U-235. Natural uranium is primarily composed of U-238, with only about 0.7% being U-235.
Spent nuclear fuel, also known as used nuclear fuel, is the material that remains after nuclear fuel has been irradiated in a nuclear reactor. When nuclear fuel—typically composed of enriched uranium or plutonium—is placed in a reactor, it undergoes fission, a process in which the nuclei of atoms split to release energy.
Thorium is a radioactive chemical element with the symbol Th and atomic number 90. It is a silvery-white metal that is moderately hard and malleable. Thorium is found in nature mainly in the mineral monazite, and it is considered to be a potential alternative to uranium as a nuclear fuel for nuclear reactors.
Uranium is a heavy, radioactive metallic element with the chemical symbol U and atomic number 92. It is part of the actinide series in the periodic table and is primarily known for its use as a fuel in nuclear reactors and in the production of nuclear weapons. Uranium is found in various minerals in the Earth's crust, most commonly in uranium oxide minerals such as uraninite.
Nuclear accidents and incidents refer to unexpected events related to nuclear power plants, nuclear reactors, or other facilities that handle radioactive materials, which result in the release of radiation or the potential for radiation exposure to the public and the environment. These events can range from minor safety breaches to catastrophic meltdowns. They can be caused by various factors, including human error, equipment failure, natural disasters, or terrorist actions. **Key Types of Nuclear Accidents and Incidents:** 1.
Nuclear programs refer to various initiatives by countries to develop and utilize nuclear technology for different purposes, which can be broadly categorized into three main areas: 1. **Nuclear Energy Programs**: These programs focus on the generation of electricity using nuclear reactors. Nuclear power plants harness the energy released during nuclear fission (the splitting of atomic nuclei) to produce steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity.
Nuclear warfare refers to a military conflict in which nuclear weapons are used to inflict damage or achieve strategic objectives. These weapons harness the energy released from nuclear reactions—either fission (splitting atomic nuclei) or fusion (combining atomic nuclei)—to produce powerful explosions capable of causing massive destruction and loss of life. Key aspects of nuclear warfare include: 1. **Types of Weapons**: - **Atomic Bombs (A-Bombs)**: Utilize nuclear fission to release energy.
The anti-nuclear movement is a social and political movement aimed at opposing the use of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. This movement has evolved since the mid-20th century, gaining prominence during the Cold War as concerns about nuclear weapons proliferation and the potential for nuclear war grew.
The Glossary of Unified Modeling Language (UML) terms provides definitions and explanations of key concepts and terminology used in UML, which is a standardized modeling language used in software engineering to visualize, specify, construct, and document the artifacts of a software system. Here are some important UML terms from the glossary: 1. **Model**: A representation of a system, or some aspect of a system, that abstracts away details to focus on certain features or characteristics.