Nuclear Power and the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Guest lecture by Dr. Luis Lederman, IAEA – international atomic energy agency, Vienna

Mrs. Lederman Bogomoletz, Dr. Lederman, Prof. Yakubov, Mr. Givon

Dr. Luis Lederman visited HIT as guest of Prof. Eduard Yakubov, President of HIT.
The IAEA was created in 1957, with a vision to harness the power of the atom for the benefit of humankind. It works with partners across the globe to help countries use nuclear science and technology to meet development challenges.

A short movie which showcased the diverse activities of the Atoms for Peace and Development Agency was followed by the lecture that presented an international overview of the status of nuclear power and the nuclear fuel cycle.

Dr. Lederman introduced the principal aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle such as uranium milling and milling, conversion and enrichment, fuel fabrication, reactor utilization, spent fuel, nuclear waste and reprocessing.

Mrs. Lederman Bogomoletz, Dr. Lederman, Prof. Yakubov

Reviewing the status and prospects of nuclear power, Dr. Lederman pointed out that currently there are 448 nuclear power reactors in operation in 30 countries, which generate 11% of the electric energy worldwide; additionally, 58 reactors are under construction.

The lecturer highlighted the emerging interest of new countries and their plans to utilize nuclear power for electricity generation, and explained the major problems – political and technological – faced by those countries in advancing these plans.

Finally, an outlook of the main challenges for the future utilization of nuclear power was provided.

The lecture finished with a question-and-answer session