Tag: Technology

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Kazakhstan Builds Nuclear Fuel Cycle to Power Its Energy Future

From uranium mining to high-tech fuel assembly and reactor projects, the nation is positioning itself as a global leader in nuclear technology and innovation.

Kazakhstan is rapidly transforming its role in the global nuclear industry, moving beyond uranium mining to develop a full high-tech fuel cycle.

At the heart of this shift is the Ulba Metallurgical Plant in East Kazakhstan, which has recently undergone major modernisation. A new automated inspection line now checks uranium fuel pellets with micrometre precision at a rate of three pellets per second, ensuring exceptional quality and consistency.

Alongside this, fuel assembly production has expanded to 300 tonnes annually, while the Ulba-TVS facility has reached its design capacity of 200 tonnes of uranium per year. These upgrades position Kazakhstan as a reliable supplier of nuclear fuel for both domestic and international markets.

This progress aligns with the country’s long-term energy ambitions. Despite being the world’s leading uranium producer, Kazakhstan has historically lacked nuclear power generation. That is changing.

Plans are underway for several nuclear power plants, including a major project with Russia’s Rosatom featuring two Generation III+ reactors with a combined capacity of 2.4 GW, expected to launch around 2035. Additional projects with Chinese partners are also in development.

Safety remains a priority, with site selection in the Almaty region emphasising robust passive and active safety systems informed by lessons from Fukushima and Chernobyl. Efforts to minimise radioactive waste are integral to these plans.

Beyond power generation, Kazakhstan is building an innovation ecosystem. Two nuclear-focused science cities are planned in Almaty and Kurchatov, leveraging the expertise of the Institute of Nuclear Physics and the National Nuclear Centre.

The country is also expanding into nuclear medicine, exporting technetium-99 radiopharmaceuticals, and exploring fuel conversion and enrichment technologies. This strategy reflects a shift from volume to value, aiming to create a comprehensive nuclear hub that supports energy security and global decarbonisation goals.

For professionals in the nuclear sector, these developments signal a surge in opportunities, from fuel fabrication and reactor construction to research, regulatory compliance, and medical applications. Kazakhstan’s vision to 2050 is clear: to evolve from a uranium supplier into a global leader in nuclear technology and innovation.

Picture: Akorda

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Thales UK Event: Drones & Cyber Security

Yesterday (04/12/25) we were at the Thales UK offices in Green Park, Reading. The event was arranged as part of the Digital Special Interest Group (DIGSIG) by the Nuclear Institute (NI).

Thales has 33,000 employees in all areas of the globe and 7,800 of those are based in the UK at numerous locations. 4,500 of the total UK number are highly skilled engineers working on a number of different defence related projects. A further 7,000 jobs are supported through the UK supply chain.

Speakers on the day included a graduate software developer looking at drone technology, Operational Technology (OT) Security professional, Security by Design & Supply Chain Lead, Head of Sales & Communications, CNI Account Lead, and a Cyber Security apprentice.

The topics on the day included C-UAS (Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System) and their different uses in places such as prisons and RAF bases. The use of OT systems in different industries including nuclear and defence. The investment and risk in cyber security and Secure by Design (SbD); people and culture have a lot to do with the adoption, running and impact of these systems. Retention and hiring and important aspects as company culture has to be right.

All in all, an interesting morning and lunchtime of conversations with people from EDF, Createc, and the NI – we’ll be looking out for more events of this kind in the future.

Picture: Thales UK

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Microsoft is First tech Firm to Join WNA

Microsoft joins the World Nuclear Association (WNA), and this seems like a huge milestone for the nuclear sector. When it comes to carbon-free energy technology utilisation, this is exciting!

When you think of one of the world’s leading, most highly thought of and expert tech companies, you combine that with the nuclear sectors’ track-record of delivery, it’s a brilliant strategic moment.

To meet the demands and needs of the digital economy there really is only one energy source that will keep pace, nuclear. We have ambitious climate goals coupled with an increasing demand where technology usage is concerned, and not enough power for renewable alone to handle.

Nuclear energy will be the main, consistent and reliable source for us to rely on, and we will wait to see who else follows Microsoft’s lead.

Picture: World Nuclear Association

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Philippines Uses Nuclear Tech to Fight Plastic Pollution

During the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) International High-Level Forum, Filipino President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., talked about his commitment to addressing plastic issues through nuclear technology.

“It affects biodiversity, public health, supply chains, and the lives of our coastal and urban communities. Addressing it requires going beyond regulation and advocacy. It requires technology that is credible, scalable, grounded in rigorous science,” he said.

The work is part of a global initiative by the IAEA called the Nutec Plastics Initiative, and the Philippines are transforming low-value plastic into reliable, commercially viable materials under the Post-Radiation Reactive Extrusion of Plastic Wastes Project (PREx).

Full story; https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/11/26/news/national/philippines-leverages-nuclear-technology-in-fight-against-plastic-pollution/2231044

Picture: Philippines Presidential Communications Office

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Enriched Lithium: Advanced Nuclear & Fusion Energy

The Hidden Key.

Enriched lithium is a fundamental element for next-generation nuclear energy—integral to both fusion fuel cycles and advanced reactor cooling. Advancing lithium isotope separation technologies and building secure supply chains are critical to unlocking the full potential of fusion and modern fission infrastructures.

The Enrichment Challenge

Historically, lithium isotope separation relied on COLEX (column exchange), a mercury-based process now banned for environmental reasons. Today, the industry is pivoting to cleaner, scalable methods:

  • AVLIS (Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation): Laser-based enrichment with high precision.
  • Electrochemical Separation: Mercury-free, using advanced materials like zeta-V₂O₅ for isotope selectivity.

Companies like Hexium are investing in these technologies to secure supply chains for future nuclear and fusion projects.

Why Lithium Matters in Next-Generation Energy

As the world accelerates toward clean energy solutions, enriched lithium is emerging as a critical enabler for both advanced nuclear reactors and fusion power plants. Its unique isotopes—Lithium-6 (Li-6) and Lithium-7 (Li-7)—play distinct roles in fuelling innovation and ensuring operational safety.

Lithium-6: Powering Fusion Through Tritium Breeding

Fusion energy promises limitless, carbon-free power, but it hinges on one scarce resource: tritium. Tritium doesn’t occur naturally in significant quantities, so fusion reactors must breed it internally. This is where Li-6 steps in:

  • Tritium Production: Li-6 reacts with high-energy neutrons inside breeder blankets to produce tritium and helium.
  • Essential for Self-Sufficiency: Without Li-6, fusion plants cannot sustain their fuel cycle.
  • Scale of Demand: A single demonstration fusion plant may require 10–100 tonnes of enriched Li-6, while commercial-scale reactors could need hundreds of tonnes.

Lithium-7: Supporting Advanced Fission Reactors

Li-7 is equally vital for advanced fission technologies, particularly Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) and Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs):

  • Coolant Chemistry: Li-7 maintains stable pH in reactor coolants, preventing corrosion and ensuring safety.
  • Molten Salt Reactors: Li-7-enriched salts act as heat transfer media and neutron moderators, enabling high-efficiency designs.

New career pathways are opening up in the nuclear industry. We are passionate that industry and educational institutions collaborate more to ensure people know about emerging careers while we are also working towards meeting future demands.

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New York’s New Nuclear Construction Plans

Upstate New York is to gain its first new nuclear plant in a generation.

It’s clear that New York will benefit from utilising advanced nuclear technology; generating thousands of union jobs, enhancing security, lowering emissions, and ensuring reliability to the growing grid.

Governor Kathy Hochul directed the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to start developing and constructing an advanced new nuclear power plant to support a reliable & affordable electric grid.

“As New York State electrifies its economy, deactivates aging fossil fuel power generation and continues to attract large manufacturers that create good-paying jobs, we must embrace an energy policy of abundance that centers on energy independence and supply chain security to ensure New York controls its energy future,” Governor Hochul said. “This is the second time during my administration that I am calling on the New York Power Authority to lead a critical energy initiative, and just as it is doing with the expedited buildout of renewable energy and transmission, it will now safely and rapidly deploy clean, reliable nuclear power for the benefit of all New Yorkers.”

Full article; https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-directs-new-york-power-authority-develop-zero-emission-advanced-nuclear-energy

Picture: https://www.governor.ny.gov

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UKAEA – Fusion of Talent

Fusion of Talent: Celebrating Women in Computing

On 4th November 2025, UKAEA hosted Fusion of Talent at Culham Campus—a one-day event spotlighting the diverse roles and contributions of women and underrepresented genders in computing. The programme featured:

  • Keynote by Alison Kennedy on diversity’s impact in computing.
  • Inspiring talks from early-career professionals.
  • A poster session showcasing research and experiences.
  • A panel discussion tackling barriers and opportunities for inclusivity.

The event fostered networking, collaboration, and open dialogue on how diversity drives innovation in sectors like high-performance computing and nuclear safety. It welcomed allies and advocates from academia, industry, and government, reinforcing the message: representation matters for the future of tech and energy.

UK Atomic Energy Authority – GOV.UK

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NVIDIA & OpenAI announce deployment of 10GW systems

Last month OpenAI & NVIDIA announced a partnership that would see them deploy NVIDIA Systems for OpenAI’s next gen AI infrastructure.

NIVIDA is investing $100 billion to OpenAI where the first phase will come online toward the back end of 2026 using the NVIDIA Vera Rubin Platform.

“NVIDIA and OpenAI have pushed each other for a decade, from the first DGX supercomputer to the breakthrough of ChatGPT,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “This investment and infrastructure partnership mark the next leap forward — deploying 10 gigawatts to power the next era of intelligence.”

“Everything starts with compute,” said Sam Altman, cofounder and CEO of OpenAI. “Compute infrastructure will be the basis for the economy of the future, and we will utilize what we’re building with NVIDIA to both create new AI breakthroughs and empower people and businesses with them at scale.”

Read the full story here: https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/openai-and-nvidia-announce-strategic-partnership-to-deploy-10gw-of-nvidia-systems

Picture: NVIDIA site

Oxford STEM Network October Meet up

The peer network for established leaders and service providers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and manufacturing.

The friendly meet-up for STEM sector leaders.

If you are a founder, CEO or MD of an established science, technology, engineering, mathematics or manufacturing organisation, you are warmly invited to join us at our open meet up.

If you are a service provider actively supporting and working with clients in one or more of the STEM sectors, you are warmly invited too.

You do not need to be based in Oxford.

No agenda. Just a chance for leaders to network with peers.

Come along to connect with and be inspired by STEM sector leaders.

https://oxfordstem.network/events/networking-october-2024

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