Save the World with Nuclear Waste: New Approaches to Nuclear Power
Leslie Dewan, Transatomic Power
The world needs a cheap, carbon-free alternative to fossil fuels to feed its growing electricity demand. Nuclear power seems like a clear solution, but concerns about safety, waste, and cost hinder its growth. My work uses modern computational methods to adapt and optimize technology from the early days of the nuclear industry – the 1950s and 1960s. Specifically, my company is advancing design of the molten salt reactor, an extremely safe concept from the 1950s, to make it more compact, lower its cost, and enable it to consume existing nuclear waste stockpiles, all while retaining its significant safety benefits. These new reactors can push the boundaries of nuclear technology and allow for a safe, clean and affordable answer to humanity’s energy needs.
Abstract Author(s): Leslie Dewan