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China prepares to test thorium-fuelled nuclear reactor

If China’s experimental reactor is a success it could lead to commercialization and help the nation meet its climate goals.
  1. Smriti Mallapaty
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Scientists are excited about an experimental nuclear reactor using thorium as fuel, which is about to begin tests in China. Although this radioactive element has been trialled in reactors before, experts say that China is the first to have a shot at commercializing the technology.

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Nature 597, 311-312 (2021)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-02459-w

Updates & Corrections

  • Correction 10 September 2021: An earlier version of this story referred to reactors cooled by lead and sodium gases, while they are in fact liquids. It was also published with a different primary image, which was incorrectly captioned as a nuclear power plant. The story has been updated.

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