Atomic Insights Archives

Rod Adams, Founder

Topical Index (classic articles pre 2006) 1

Managing Partner, Nucleation Capital, a venture fund enabling broader investor access to a diverse portfolio of advanced nuclear energy and deep decarbonization ventures. Nuclear energy expert and former submarine Engineer Officer with nuclear propulsion plant experience. Founder, Adams Atomic Engines, Inc. Host and producer, The Atomic Show Podcast.

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Accidents

Chernobyl: Fear of the Unknown? by Dr. Zbigniew Jaworowski
The Accident at Chernobyl
Letter from the Editor: Learning from a Tragedy
Politics and Market Share: Possible Motives Behind Emphasis
Chernobyl Health Effects: Best Available Data
Advice and Sources: The Chernobyl Accident
Letter from the Editor: Solving the SL-1 Mystery
Accident Consequences: Design Added to Magnitude
What Caused the Accident? Plenty of Blame to Share
January 1961: SL-1 Accident Aftermath

Breeder Reactors

Letter from the Editor: Breeding Better Reactors
Plutonium Fuel Cycle: Under Attack
Liquid Metal Fast Breeder: Right Answer, Wrong Question
Light Water Breeder Reactor: Adapting Proven System

Fuel Comparisons

Plutonium Valuable Fuel or Costly Waste
Welcome to Atomic Energy Insights

Fuel Recycling

Can fission by-products make steam? by John Mahler
Minimizing Waste: Focus on Recycling
Letter from the Editor: Recycling: Practice What You Preach
Waste to Energy: Learning to Recognize Waste as Value
Nuclear Fuel Recycling: Getting Down to Business
Opposition to Reprocessing: Are the Reports Always True?

Gas Cooled Reactors

CO2: First Choice for Power Reactors February 1996
Letter from the Editor: First Nuclear Power Stations
Pressure Vessel Construction: Lower Pressure Makes it Easier
Fuel Element Designs: Unique Selection Criteria
Water vs. Gas Cooled Reactors: Round 1
Technical Readiness Applying Related Inventions
Letter from the Editor: The Battle Begins
Government Support: Official Help in the Sales Department

Graphite Moderated Reactors

In the beginning: A 1942 Experiment Shows the world it can be done
CO2: First Choice for Power Reactors
The Accident at Chernobyl

Health Effects of Low Level Radiation

Report on the Radiation, Science and Health November 15, 2000 Symposium on the Health Benefits of Low Level Radiation Exposure
Plutonium: How Deadly is it?
Letter from the Editor: Exagerated Truths are Falsehoods
Constant Exposure How Much Radiation is Normal?
Learning from the Past Lessons from Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Long Term Exposure: Health Studies of Nuclear Pros
Chernobyl Health Effects Best Available Data
ATOMIC Advice for Accident Actions

Heavy Water Moderated Reactors

Some Reactors CANDU: What Others Cannot
Letter from the Editor: Reactors With a Can-Do Attitude
Pressurized Heavy Water: Using Available Resources
Isotope Production: Dual Use Power Plants
PHWR Problem Areas: Sources of Incidents

Irradiation

Liquid Metal Cooled Reactors

Liquid Metal Fast Breeder: Right Answer, Wrong Question

Nuclear Aircraft

U.S. Nuclear Rocket Programs
Letter from the Editor: Confessions of a Stargazer
How Do Nuclear Rockets Work?
Rocket Technology Applications Machines with Limitless Capabilities

Nuclear Batteries

Really Cool Stuff: Batteries that last for Decades
Nuclear Batteries: Tools for Space Science
Letter from the Editor: Batteries That Last and Last
Cassini: Near Term Use of RTGs
RTG Heat Sources: Two Proven Materials
Earth Bound RTG Systems: Uses Closer to Home

Nuclear Cost Data

Too Cheap to Meter – It’s Now True
Atomic Energy: Powerful Job Generator
Nuclear Cost Data in the United States
Letter from the Editor:Economics of Electrical Energy
A Closer Look at Studies: Cost of Controlling Radiation Exposure
Nuclear Fission Vs.Combustion: Inexpensive Machines AND Cheap Fuel
Economy of Scale?
Letter from the Editor Small is Beautiful
Keep it Simple Complex Systems Cost More

Nuclear Ships

Why Did the Savannah Fail?
Marine Nuclear Propulsion: The Undeniable Facts
Nuclear Research Ship: Japanese Learn Nuclear Techniques as Sea
Historical Repetition? Will Nuclear Propulsion follow Steam Propulsion?

Nuclear Waste

Yucca Mountain: Right Answer; Wrong Question
Can fission by-products make steam? by John Mahler
Nuclear Waste Mountain: Unnecessary Sense of Urgency
Letter from the Editor: Delay Does not Indicate a Crisis
Guest Column: Do Not Eat the Glass
Concerns of the Opposition: Not Irrational
Common Myths: Is nuclear waste a huge problem?
Letter from the Editor: Recycling: Practice What You Preach
Waste to Energy: Learning to Recognize Waste as Value
Nuclear Fuel Recycling: Getting Down to Business
Opposition to Reprocessing: Are the Reports Always True?

Small Nuclear Power Plants

Letter from the Editor: Portable Nuclear Power
ML-1 Mobile System: Reactor in a Box
Army Nuclear Plants: Summary Table
Prefab Reactors: Reliable Power for Off-Grid Users
Economy of Scale?
Letter from the Editor Small is Beautiful
Keep it Simple Complex Systems Cost More
SL-1: Designed for Remote Power and Heat
Nuclear Power Barges: Russians Build on Ice Breaker Lead
MH-1A: Pioneer Barge Built In America
PM-3A Design and Construction: Rapid Pace to Fulfill a Need
Letter from the Editor: PM-3A, Pioneer in Antarctic Research
How Clean is Clean?: Blasting Out Frozen Soil
A Question of Economics: The Answer Depends on the Assumptions
Valuable Tool for Antarctic Research: PM-3A Technical Characteristics

Politics of Nuclear Energy

Ask Atomic: What was your point regarding the 760 million mile per gallon carburetor?
How I developed my atomic insights
Fusion versus Fission – Difficult versus Easy
Saying the ‘N’ word – Nuclear – in polite company
Atomic Energy: Powerful Job Generator
Rooting for the Underdog Small Nations Often Need Atomic Power
Ike Was Right We Need Atoms for Peace
Ike Was Right Oil is Obsolete
Plutonium Politics Leads to Unusual Logic
Why Throw Away a Priceless Resource? by Theodore Rockwell
The United States Should Lead the Way by Michael Fox
Politics and Market Share Possible Motives Behind Emphasis
Learning from a Tragedy Letterfrom the Editor April 1996

Technical History Stories

In the beginning: A 1942 Experiment Shows the world it can be done
Why Did the Savannah Fail?
U.S. Nuclear Rocket Programs
Light Water Breeder Reactor: Adapting Proven System
ML-1 Mobile System: Reactor in a Box
CO2: First Choice for Power Reactors
SL-1:Designed for Remote Power and Heat
Letter from the Editor: Solving the SL-1 Mystery
Accident Consequences: Design Added to Magnitude
What Caused the Accident? Plenty of Blame to Share
January 1961: SL-1 Accident Aftermath
Offshore Power Systems: Big Plants for a Big Customer
MH-1A: Pioneer Barge Built In America
PM-3A Design and Construction: Rapid Pace to Fulfill a Need
Letter from the Editor: PM-3A, Pioneer in Antarctic Research
How Clean is Clean?: Blasting Out Frozen Soil
A Question of Economics: The Answer Depends on the Assumptions
Valuable Tool for Antarctic Research: PM-3A Technical Characteristics
Additional Reading: Sources Used in PM-3A Stories

Water Cooled Reactors

“Water: Best Coolant for the 1950s Subs” December 1995
“Controlling Power” December 1995.
“Technical Hurdles” December 1995
“Protection for Fuel Elements” December 1995
Nuclear Research Ship: Japanese Learn Nuclear Techniques as Sea
SL-1: Designed for Remote Power and Heat

Atomic Insights 2006

June 11, 2006: Health Effects of Low Level Radiation: When will we acknowledge the reality? by Dr. Jerry M. Cuttler
May 02, 2006: Chernobyl: Fear of the Unknown? by Dr. Zbigniew Jaworowski
February 24, 2006: What limits reactor fuel burnup?
January 26, 2006: How I developed my atomic insights

Atomic Insights 2005

June 26, 2005: Building New School Energy Wells
June 7, 2005: Atomic Insight: PBMR Update
June 4, 2005: A Time For Opportunity and Caution
May 1, 2005: BP versus Exelon
April 26, 2005: Are Nuclear Plants Really Terrorist Targets?
April 12, 2005: An Early Passion for Nuclear Energy
April 1, 2005: Replacing Oil With Uranium
March 27, 2005: Time for Plan B – Yucca Mountain Project Should Close Shop
March 20, 2005: Nuclear Power for Galena, Alaska
March 9, 2005: Too Cheap to Meter – It’s Now True
March 4, 2005: Fusion versus Fission – Difficult versus Easy
February 24, 2005: Saying the ‘N’ word – Nuclear – in polite company

“For the Rest of Us”

May 12, 2004: Atomic Energy: Powerful Job Generator
November 27, 2003: Rooting for the Underdog: Small Nations Often Need Atomic Power
November 11, 2003: Ike Was Right: We Need Atoms for Peace
April 01, 2002: Ike Was Right: Oil is Obsolete
February 02, 2002: Yucca Mountain: Right Answer; Wrong Question
November 16, 2001: Irradiation and Semantics
October 24, 2001: Wouldn’t It Be Great If We Didn’t Need Oil?
June 12, 2001: CAREM: A Small, Innovative Pressurized Water Reactor
May 25, 2001: NA-YGN is Alive and Kicking
May 17, 2001: The “N” (Nuclear) Word is no Longer Taboo
April 26, 2001: The long term effects of Chernobyl debated
April 3, 2001: Atlas is shrugging in the People’s State of California
March 22, 2001: Get your ash out of here!
March 6, 2001: The 760 MMMPG Carburetor
February 13, 2001: Exelon goes first with PBMR
January 23, 2001: Cenfuel could burn well in California.
January 9, 2001: Dear Mr. President, Send in the Nukes.
December 29, 2000: Bandwagon Gas Market
December 6, 2000: Nuclear Confusion, anti-nuclear collusion
November 6, 2000: A Vision for Nuclear Power

Volume 2 (January 1997 – April 1996)

December 96/January 97

Letter from the Editor Plutonium Politics Leads to Unusual Logic
Plutonium Valuable Fuel or Costly Waste?
Press Release Anti-MOX Coalition Statement
Why Throw Away a Priceless Resource? by Theodore Rockwell
The United States Should Lead the Way by Michael Fox

October/November 1996

PM-3A Design and Construction: Rapid Pace to Fulfill a Need
Letter from the Editor: PM-3A, Pioneer in Antarctic Research
How Clean is Clean?: Blasting Out Frozen Soil
A Question of Economics: The Answer Depends on the Assumptions
Valuable Tool for Antarctic Research: PM-3A Technical Characteristics
Additional Reading: Sources Used in PM-3A Stories
In the News

September 1996

Nuclear Batteries: Tools for Space Science
Letter from the Editor: Batteries That Last and Last
Cassini: Near Term Use of RTGs
RTG Heat Sources: Two Proven Materials
Earth Bound RTG Systems: Uses Closer to Home
Additional Reading: Sources Used in RTG Stories
In the News

August 1996

Power Barges: Tools for Progress
Letter from the Editor: Electric Plants for Rapidly Growing Areas
Offshore Power Systems: Big Plants for a Big Customer
Nuclear Power Barges: Russians Build on Ice Breaker Lead
MH-1A: Pioneer Barge Built In America
Additional Reading: Sources Used in Power Barge Stories
In the News

July 1996

SL-1: Designed for Remote Power and Heat
Letter from the Editor: Solving the SL-1 Mystery
Accident Consequences: Design Added to Magnitude
What Caused the Accident? Plenty of Blame to Share
January 1961: SL-1 Accident Aftermath
In the News

June 1996

Some Reactors CANDU®: What Others Cannot
Letter from the Editor: Reactors With a Can-Do Attitude
Pressurized Heavy Water: Using Available Resources
Isotope Production: Dual Use Power Plants
Historical Problem Areas: Sources of Incidents
In the News

May 1996

Economy of Scale?
Letter from the Editor Small is Beautiful
Technical Readiness Applying Related Inventions
Keep it Simple Complex Systems Cost More
In the News

April 1996

The Accident at Chernobyl
Letter from the Editor Learning from a Tragedy
Politics and Market Share Possible Motives Behind Emphasis
Chernobyl Health Effects Best Available Data
In the News

Volume 1 (March 1996 – April 1995)

March 1996

Nuclear Waste Mountain: Unnecessary Sense of Urgency
Letter from the Editor: Delay Does not Indicate a Crisis
Guest Column: Do Not Eat the Glass
Concerns of the Opposition: Not Irrational

February 1996

Water vs. Gas Cooled Reactors: Round 1
Letter from the Editor: The Battle Begins
Government Support: Official Help in the Sales Department
In the News

January 1996

CO2: First Choice for Power Reactors
Letter from the Editor: First Nuclear Power Stations
Pressure Vessel Construction: Lower Pressure Makes it Easier
Fuel Element Designs: Unique Selection Criteria

December 1995

Water: Best Choice for the 1950s Subs
Letter from the Editor: Record of Success
Technical Hurdles: One Step at a Time
Controlling Power: Temperature and Rods
Protecting Fuel Materials: Ensuring Safety
In the news…

November 1995

Letter from the Editor: Portable Nuclear Power
ML-1 Mobile System: Reactor in a Box
Army Nuclear Plants: Summary Table
Prefab Reactors: Reliable Power for Off-Grid Users
In the news…

October 1995

Letter from the Editor: Breeding Better Reactors
Plutonium Fuel Cycle: Under Attack
Liquid Metal Fast Breeder: Right Answer, Wrong Question
Light Water Breeder Reactor: Adapting Proven System

September 1995

U.S. Nuclear Rocket Programs
Letter from the Editor: Confessions of a Stargazer
How Do Nuclear Rockets Work?
Rocket Technology Applications Machines with Limitless Capabilities
In the news…

August 1995

Nuclear Cost Data in the United States
Letter from the Editor:Economics of Electrical Energy
A Closer Look at Studies: Cost of Controlling Radiation Exposure
Nuclear Fission Vs.Combustion: InexpensiveMachines AND Cheap Fuel
In the news…

July 1995

Why Did the Savannah Fail?
Letter from the Editor: Wasted Nuclear Knowledge
Marine Nuclear Propulsion: The Undeniable Facts
Nuclear Research Ship: Japanese Learn Nuclear Techniques as Sea
Historical Repetition? Will Nuclear Propulsion follow Steam Propulsion?
In the news…

June 1995

Minimizing Waste: Focus on Recycling
Letter from the Editor: Recycling: Practice What You Preach
Waste to Energy: Learning to Recognize Waste as Value
Nuclear Fuel Recycling: Getting Down to Business
Opposition to Reprocessing: Are the Reports Always True?

May 1995

Plutonium: How Deadly is it?
Letter from the Editor: Exagerated Truths are Falsehoods
Constant Exposure How Much Radiation is Normal?
Learning from the Past Lessons from Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Long Term Exposure: Health Studies of Nuclear Pros
In the news…

April 1995

Welcome to Atomic Energy Insights
Letter from the Editor: Other Countries Progress While US Lags Behind
In the beginning: A 1942 Experiment Shows the world it can be done
Really Cool Stuff: Batteries that last for Decades
Common Myths: Is nuclear waste a huge problem?
In the news…