The world’s first experimental Nuclear fission reactor is to be set up in Cadarache, France. The project is code name ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor). For those who are not technically inclined, Fusion works on the principle that energy can be released by forcing together atomic nuclei rather than by splitting them, as in the case of the fission reactions that drive existing nuclear power stations. This when compared to using of fossil fuels is very advantageous as fusion reactions produce no carbon dioxide. Hence it results in decreasing the possibility of green house effect and global warming. This will be an environmental safe option.
The other major advantage of using the fission process in lieu of the Nuclear fusion process as used in the current nuclear reactors is that in comparison, the radio active wastes produced by the fission process are relatively safe to handle in a modest timescale (50-100 years). In comparison, the wastes produced as a direct result of splitting atoms in fission reactions live much longer (many thousands of years).
It has been calculated that after 100 years of operation, ITER will be left with about 6,000 tonnes of radio active wastes. It is said that when packaged, this would be equivalent to a cube with about 10m edges.
If this does interests you, please visit here for more details on the project.

Labels: Noted