Nuclear research, industry and policy

Increasing public and private investment, technological breakthroughs, and a growing number of facilities could bring fusion technology to the delivery era by mid-century. Matteo Barbarino argues that global cooperation and effective regulation are vital in accelerating progress.

Gail Marcus discusses the current social, political and economic factors shaping the development of nuclear power worldwide.

Paul Howarth discusses the current challenges and opportunities in nuclear research and development.

Many small research reactors used as neutron sources are being shut down. To replace them, new facilities are being developed. In particular, compact accelerator-based neutron sources can take up many of the activities previously supported by reactor-based facilities.

Iranian scientists are growing increasingly isolated because of political tensions between Iran and the West. We attempt to alleviate this problem through science diplomacy.

In Aesop’s fable, a swift hare races with a deliberate tortoise. In the end, the tortoise wins by taking a slow and steady approach. We argue that, given the economic constraints on US deployment of nuclear power, a ‘tortoise strategy’ is more prudent for US government nuclear R&D efforts.

Although controversial for some, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — also known as the Iran deal — offered a legal arrangement to curb Iran’s nuclear activities and limit its ability to build weapons. This Review examines the deal’s technical basis and how it could be applied in other contexts.

In this month’s Editorial we explore the status of global nuclear research and industry post-Fukushima and find positive developments.

US nuclear diplomacy appears to be entering a turbulent phase. Although their voice is currently sidelined by geopolitical events, physicists have a duty to speak up.

The 50th anniversary of the Institut Laue–Langevin marks a time for celebration, and for reflection on the future of Europe's neutron-scattering landscape.