China is Leading on Thorium Nuclear Energy, A Source That is More Efficient, More Available, and Produces Less Nuclear Waste Than Uranium
Early thorium-based (MSR) nuclear reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the 1960s By ORNL " Image courtesy of Oak Ridge National Laboratory " I f there was an energy source more efficient, safer, more available, and produces less nuclear waste with a significantly less decay time before it becomes safe again, you'd think countries would be climbing over themselves to jump on board. Thorium is that source, and it was extensively researched by the USA in the 1960's, ultimately losing out to Uranium because Uranium was cheaper and served a duel role in the nuclear arms race of the time. That leads us to today, where Uranium Nuclear reactors are an entire industry, with strong foot holds in many countries around the globe, and Thorium is still stuck in development hell. Even if the Nuclear industry did decide to pivot, it would be decades before Thorium would actually deliver on the benefits of using it. It's not as simple as swapping fuel in existing reactors. ...