The world faces serious difficulties in obtaining the energy that will be needed in coming decades for a growing population, especially given the problem of climate change caused by fossil fuel use. This book presents a view of nuclear energy as an important carbon-free energy option. It discusses the nuclear fuel cycle, the types of reactors used today and proposed for the future, nuclear waste disposal, reactor accidents and reactor safety, nuclear weapon proliferation, and the cost of electric power. To provide background for these discussions, the book begins with chapters on the history of the development and use of nuclear energy, the health effects of ionizing radiation, and the basic physics principles of reactor operation. The text has been rewritten and substantially expanded for this edition, to reflect changes that have taken place in the eight years since the publication of the first edition and to provide greater coverage of key topics. These include the Yucca Mountain repository plans, designs for next-generation reactors, weapons proliferation and terrorism threats, the potential of alternatives to nuclear energy, and controversies about low-level radiation. Acclaim for the first edition: "...The book provides a superb background for scientists and those in technical fields. It provides probably all the information that many people, including government policy makers, will ever need...[a] well-written and balanced book. This book is recommended for anyone who wants a broad technical background on nuclear energy." -American Journal of Physics

The world faces serious difficulties in obtaining the energy that will be needed in coming decades for a growing population, especially given the problem of climate change caused by fossil fuel use. This book presents a view of nuclear energy as an important carbon-free energy option. It discusses the nuclear fuel cycle, the types of reactors used today and proposed for the future, nuclear waste disposal, reactor accidents and reactor safety, nuclear weapon proliferation, and the cost of electric power. To provide background for these discussions, the book begins with chapters on the history of the development and use of nuclear energy, the health effects of ionizing radiation, and the basic physics principles of reactor operation.

The text has been rewritten and substantially expanded for this edition, to reflect changes that have taken place in the eight years since the publication of the first edition and to provide greater coverage of key topics. These include the Yucca Mountain repository plans, designs for next-generation reactors, weapons proliferation and terrorism threats, the potential of alternatives to nuclear energy, and controversies about low-level radiation.

Acclaim for the first edition:

The book provides a superb background for scientists and those in technical fields. It provides probably all the information that many people, including government policy makers, will ever need... a well-written and balanced book. This book is recommended for anyone who wants a broad technical background on nuclear energy.

-American Journal of Physics

As energy resources, particularly fossil fuels, become strained, nuclear energy must be considered as an alternative. This book presents an objective view of nuclear energy as an important source for future energy needs. It discusses various types of reactors, the nuclear fuel cycle, the problem of nuclear waste disposal, reactor accidents, safety and new types of reactors that are being considered, and the cost of electricity from nuclear power. This new edition has been brought up to date throughout, with new material, data, figures, and tables.

The Motivation for Nuclear Energy.- Nuclear Power Development.- Radioactivity and Radiation Exposures.- Effects of Radiation Exposures.- Neutron Reactions.- Nuclear Fission.- Chain Reactions and Nuclear Reactors.- Types of Nuclear Reactors.- Nuclear Fuel Cycle.- Nuclear Waste Disposal: Amounts of Waste.- Storage and Disposal of Nuclear Wastes.- US Waste Disposal Plans and the Yucca Mountain Repository.- Policy Issues in Nuclear Waste Disposal.- Nuclear Reactor Safety.- Nuclear Reactor Accidents.- Future Nuclear Reactors.- Nuclear Bombs, Nuclear Energy, and Terrorism.- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.- Costs of Electricity.- The Prospects for Nuclear Energy.