PC Pals Forum

General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: sam on March 07, 2010, 20:17

Title: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: sam on March 07, 2010, 20:17: Quote
The entire budget of the U.S. Department of Energy branch that covers today's energy mix—from cleaning up energy generation's environmental aftermath to energy efficiency programs and renewable energy development—is $10 billion. That's enough to "either build one supercollider on the basic end or one nuclear power plant on the applied end," said Kristina Johnson, the undersecretary in charge of the branch, at the ARPA-E conference on March 3. In other words, nuclear power ain't cheap.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=a-need-for-new-nukes-modular-reacto-2010-03-05
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Simon on March 07, 2010, 21:43: I wonder if we'll ever see nuclear power in the home? Or is that a stupid question?
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: sam on March 07, 2010, 22:18: its not a stupid question... but I don't think you will ever find nuclear generators that small in your house.

However, technically you already have nuclear power in your house - its called the mains...

That and of course you do have radioactive material doing a great job in your house - your fire alarm.
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Clive on March 07, 2010, 22:48: Why are they so difficult to open when you need to change the battery? :dunno:
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Simon on March 07, 2010, 23:38: Oh, I've just had one 'chirping' from about 6am this morning. It's a mains powered smoke alarm, but with a backup battery, and, of course, you've never got a spare one when you need it. ::)
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: sam on March 08, 2010, 01:12: Quote from: Simon on March 07, 2010, 23:38
Oh, I've just had one 'chirping' from about 6am this morning. It's a mains powered smoke alarm, but with a backup battery, and, of course, you've never got a spare one when you need it. ::)

indeed, its probably one of those chunky types too?
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Simon on March 08, 2010, 09:51: PP3, I believe. Yes, the little square ones.
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Clive on March 08, 2010, 10:28: Even when you disconnect it from the mains it still chirps away until you replace the battery. Those things will still be chirping long after our planet is enveloped by the Sun in 5 billion years time. ;D
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Rik on March 08, 2010, 10:30: They won't Clive, they'll have gone into full alarm mode. :)
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Clive on March 08, 2010, 10:34: It will pierce our eardrums! :crazy:
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Rik on March 08, 2010, 10:35: Will we have any by then?
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Clive on March 08, 2010, 10:38: We had better check with Sam. ;D
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Simon on March 08, 2010, 11:39: It stops chirping if you remove the battery, Clive. I guess that's what it calls self preservation.
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Rik on March 08, 2010, 11:46: Is that something like a jam? :o:
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Simon on March 08, 2010, 11:51: Something like not bring thrown in a skip. ;D
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Rik on March 08, 2010, 12:01: Not being thrown in a panic would do me. :)
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Simon on March 08, 2010, 12:22: ;D
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Clive on March 08, 2010, 13:06: Quote from: Simon on March 08, 2010, 11:39
It stops chirping if you remove the battery, Clive. I guess that's what it calls self preservation.

I usually keep a spare these days! :laugh:
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: sam on March 08, 2010, 14:24: Quote from: Clive on March 08, 2010, 10:38
We had better check with Sam. ;D

dont ask me about biology... I'm pretty useless at that
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Rodders on March 08, 2010, 15:22: Yes, but you could waffle and we wouldn't know the difference. ;D
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Rik on March 08, 2010, 15:40: I think we should take Sam aside and have a quiet word before Lizzie visits the next time... :o:
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Rodders on March 08, 2010, 16:01: Her Majesty is coming to PC-Pals? Wow! Maybe we'll get a Lordhood or something! :D
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Rik on March 08, 2010, 16:05: Arise Sir Rodders. :)
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Rodders on March 08, 2010, 16:07: Why? What time is it? :snooze:
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: Rik on March 08, 2010, 16:07: Time enough. :)
Title: Re: A need for new nukes? "Modular reactors" for energy attract interest
Post by: sam on March 09, 2010, 02:24: :laugh: