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60 Years of U: Perspectives on resources, demand, and the evolving role of nuclear energy
Recent years have seen growing global interest in nuclear energy and rising confidence in the sector. For the first time since the early 2000s, there is renewed optimism about the industry’s future. This change is driven by several major factors: geopolitical developments that highlight the need for secure energy supplies, a stronger focus on resilient energy systems, national commitments to decarbonization, and rising demand for clean and reliable electricity.
M. Edward Anderson
Nuclear Technology | Volume 4 | Number 3 | March 1968 | Pages 142-147
Technical Paper and Note | doi.org/10.13182/NT68-A26377
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The neutron yields of plutonium-beryllium (α,n) sources, made of nominal 239Pu, are increasing due to the buildup of 241Am, an alpha emitter, from the beta-decay of 241Pu which is present in these sources. Measured increases in yields are compared with predicted increases based on the isotopic composition of the plutonium used in these sources. In cases where the isotopic composition was not previously known, the composition was deduced from calorimetric measurements. Sources were found to have initial rates of increase of up to 2% per year. In all cases except one the measured rate of increase was in agreement with the predicted rate.