Monday, February 10, 2025

New tech enables the efficient burning of long-lived nuclear waste

A former CERN scientist, now working at the private nuclear fission company Transmutex, has pioneered a groundbreaking approach that could reduce the radioactivity of nuclear waste by up to 80%. 

Transmutex’s Swiss-based technology has been rigorously reviewed by Nagra, the Swiss national nuclear waste management body, which has also confirmed the potential for a significant reduction in radioactivity.

While nuclear fission reactor safety has traditionally been in the spotlight, the long-term safety of spent fuel demands greater attention, as it remains radioactive for hundreds of thousands of years after its energy has been utilized.

Transmutex harnesses the power of transmutation, enabling the conversion of elements into their isotopes or even into entirely different elements. This innovative process, reminiscent of the alchemists’ quest to turn base metals into gold, has been successfully realized by former scientists from CERN. Utilizing a particle accelerator, they have demonstrated the ability to transmute a slightly radioactive element like thorium into a uranium isotope.

The accelerator, connected to a nuclear fission plant, allows for immediate processing of newly generated uranium. Unlike traditional uranium used in nuclear power plants, this uranium does not produce highly radioactive waste. The technology is the brainchild of Carlo Rubbia, former director-general of the physics laboratory at CERN.

However, there are hurdles to overcome. While Rubbia had access to a particle accelerator at his old workplace, nuclear energy plants do not have the same luxury. Building a particle accelerator near each plant can be quite expensive, considering that CERN spent nearly US$5 billion to deliver the Large Hadron Collider.

The resistance to nuclear technology poses a significant challenge. Both Germany and Switzerland have plans to phase out their nuclear power plants. However, if the government is open to it, Transmutex’s technology could offer a solution. 

The company has secured private funding and received a positive assessment from Nagra. According to Nagra, Transmutex’s technology has the potential to reduce nuclear waste volume by 80% and decrease its radioactive lifespan to less than 500 years. 

Additionally, it could be applied to 99% of existing nuclear waste. In terms of safety, a nuclear facility powered by Transmutex could be shut down in just two milliseconds, setting a new standard in fission technology.

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