Nuclear Technology Demystified - Terry, William K

. .

Résumé :
Nuclear Technology Demystified: Everything You Need to Know About Everything Nuclear is a detailed introduction for laypersons to all aspects of nuclear technology. It begins with discussions of the science behind nuclear systems, including some basic physics, atomic and nuclear structure, radiation, nuclear reactions, the fission chain reaction, and conversion of the heat produced by a reactor into electricity. Next, it puts nuclear power in context by surveying other energy sources and their pros and cons, and it discusses global warming as a reason to advocate the application of nuclear power as a carbon-free energy source. Finally, it describes specific nuclear technologies, including nuclear medicine, conventional and advanced nuclear reactors, nuclear fusion, the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear waste disposal, and even nuclear weapons. It presents detailed summaries of the three major accidents that have been suffered by commercial nuclear power stations: Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima Daiichi. The reader needs no mathematical background. Some mathematical concepts are presented, but they are explained in simple terms that laypersons can understand. The book can be read cover-to-cover or used as a reference to search for specific topics. An extensive index helps the reader find specific items of interest.

Biographie:
William K. Terry earned his PhD in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Washington in 1980, specializing in fusion reactor plasma physics. From there, he spent five years as an Assistant Professor at Purdue University, where he launched the fusion program in the university's School of Nuclear Engineering. After Purdue, he spent three years at the Department of Energy's Hanford Site, working on the site characterization plan for a high-level nuclear waste repository. He spent the last 20 years of his career at the Idaho National Laboratory, primarily studying advanced reactor concepts, most notably the pebble-bed reactor. Outside of work, his interests have included aviation, fly-fishing, birdwatching, horses, and natural resource conservation. He is a private pilot with multi-engine and instrument ratings. He has chased trout and salmon from Norway to New Zealand, and he supports numerous conservation groups.