A message from Curtiss-Wright

High-Temperature neutron flux detectors for Generation IV reactors and SMRs

Dust: Trapped by a laser or threatening ITER, it’s making headlines

September 17, 2024, 7:02AMNuclear News

An optically trapped microparticle in high vacuum is visible as a white dot levitated between two lenses, which are used to focus and collect invisible infrared laser light used to trap the particle. (Photo: DOE/Yale Wright Lab)

Start talking about dust in a vacuum, and some people will think of household chores. But dust has featured in recent nuclear science and engineering headlines in curious ways: ITER is deploying oversized dust covers inspired by space satellites in the south of France, while at Yale University, researchers have watched every move of a dust-sized particle levitating in a laser beam for telltale twitches that indicate radioactive decay.

To continue reading, log in or create a free account!

DOE lays out fuel cycle goals in RFI to states

January 28, 2026, 3:14PMNuclear News

The Department of Energy has issued a request for information inviting states to express interest in hosting Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. According to the DOE, the proposed campuses...

Aalo and Antares progress on Reactor Pilot Program

January 27, 2026, 3:15PMNuclear News

Two participants in the Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program have recently announced significant milestones on their associated reactor projects. Aalo Atomics successfully completed...

Katy Huff on the impact of loosening radiation regulations

January 26, 2026, 3:13PMNuclear News

Katy Huff, former assistant secretary of nuclear energy at the Department of Energy, recently wrote an op-ed that was published in Scientific American.In the piece, Huff, who is an ANS member...

Centrus to expand Oak Ridge facility

January 26, 2026, 9:38AMNuclear News

Centrus Energy Corp. is planning a major expansion of its Oak Ridge, Tenn., Technology and Manufacturing Center. The build-out would allow it to expedite large-scale deployment of...

Canada’s General Fusion to become publicly traded company

January 23, 2026, 7:18AMNuclear News

General Fusion has entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. (SVAC) that would make General Fusion the first publicly traded pure-play...

LIS Technologies to invest $1.38B in Oak Ridge

January 21, 2026, 12:57PMNuclear News

On January 16, Tenn. Gov. Bill Lee, Deputy Gov. Stuart McWhorter, and officials from Laser Isotope Separation Technologies announced the company’s plans to expand in Oak Ridge, Tenn. That...

Congress passes new nuclear funding

January 20, 2026, 3:37PMNuclear News

On January 15, in an 82–14 vote, the U.S. Senate passed an Energy and Water Development appropriations bill to fund the U.S. Department of Energy for fiscal year 2026 as part of a broader...

The U.S. and Slovakia sign a new nuclear deal

January 20, 2026, 12:24PMNuclear News

On January 16, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico signed an intergovernmental agreement to cooperate on the development of Slovakia’s civil nuclear power...

Reps. Levin, Pfluger urge DOE action on SNF management

January 20, 2026, 7:52AMNuclear News

Rep. Mike Levin (D., Calif.) and Rep. August Pfluger (R., Texas) are urging Energy Secretary Chris Wright to establish a safe, effective, and long-term management program for spent nuclear...

Nano Nuclear releases RFI for Loki lunar ambitions

January 16, 2026, 12:38PMNuclear News

Nuclear power in space is back in the news for the second time this week as microreactor start-up Nano Nuclear has released a request for information to identify organizations that may support...

Dust: Trapped by a laser or threatening ITER, it’s making headlines

Related Articles