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Nuclear PowerNuclear power is electricity derived from the energy at the core of an atom. Energy is released when the nucleus splits (fission) or merges with the nucleus of another atom (fusion). Nuclear power accounts for nearly 20% of electricity production in the US and 10% worldwide.
All commercially operating nuclear plants generate power through fission, and most use uranium as fuel. When a neutron hits a uranium atom, it splits, releasing more neutrons that split more uranium atoms. The chain reaction releases energy with each split, which is used to boil water. The resulting steam is funneled through a large turbine, causing it to spin and produce electricity in an attached generator. Control rods can be inserted or withdrawn from the reactor core to adjust the reaction rate, thereby controlling the power production.
Spent nuclear fuel must be carefully cooled and buried underground because it's highly radioactive and capable of damaging or killing cells in living things. Reactor meltdowns are rare but dangerous accidents that occur when a reactor core overheats and melts. Radioactive materials can escape into the surrounding area, poisoning nearby communities and ecosystems.Explore Nuclear Power
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The power grid reliability rests on on carefully balancing supply and demandThe grid involves interconnected generators, high-voltage transmission lines, and low-voltage distribution networks that connect to outlets and devices that may or may not be in use at any given time. Mismatches in needed and available energy can damage equipment and trigger cascading outages, which smart grids try to avoid by using sensors and controllers that automatically adjust and isolate network failures. Scientific AmericanEstablishing the wind power grid required incentives, reliability, and affordabilityAlthough wind was harnessed to generate electricity for individual buildings in the late 1800s, high costs, mechanical issues with turbines, and better fossil-fuel alternatives delayed wind power's widespread growth. After the oil crises of the 1970s, governments sought alternative energy sources and, in the decades that followed, provided tax credits to expand the wind power market. Tiny MattersMost data centers rely on the local power grid to feed power-hungry computer equipmentThese facilities house rows of vertical racks containing multiple types of hardware, including servers that provide 24/7 access to online applications, services, and data. In a hyperscale center with thousands of these racks, the annual electricity used is estimated to equal that of 400,000 electric vehicles. AP NewsSand 'batteries' can store excess electricity from the power grid as thermal energyEnergy collected from solar or wind power is used to heat insulated silos full of sand to temperatures as high as 450 degrees Celsius (842 degrees Fahrenheit), which can be retained for long periods. These thermal energy storage systems can be designed to boil water and generate electricity when needed. Polar Night EnergyMore batteries in the power grid would create an on-demand energy reservoirMost power grids are inefficient because they require enough generation capacity at all times to avoid blackouts. This means at any given time, as much as 50% of generating capacity at power plants can go unused. Batteries would reduce this inefficiency and allow for real-time adjustments. Works in ProgressUnderstanding the power grid and how renewable sources fit inThe power grid is evolving to include ever-higher levels of solar and wind, which don’t provide inertia. Should system planners and operators panic? YouTubeThe strongest recorded geomagnetic storm in history created auroras near the equatorOn Sept. 1, 1859, the Carrington Event—named after the astronomer who observed the preceding solar flare—saw a massive coronal mass ejection strike Earth, disrupting telegraph systems, sparking electrical fires, and reportedly illuminating the night sky enough to allow newspapers to be read at night. Fraser CainCoronal mass ejections and solar flares produce the most extensive aurorasThe most intense geomagnetic storms are produced when massive clouds of plasma—ionized gas—are expelled from the sun's upper atmosphere and interact with the Earth's magnetic field. These storms expand where auroras are bright enough to be seen to regions farther from the poles, particularly during peak periods of the sun's 11-year intensity cycle. Kurzgesagt – In a NutshellHow to safely dispose of every kind of battery As lithium-ion batteries have proliferated in phones, e-bikes, power tools, and dozens of other devices, improper disposal has become a leading cause of fires in recycling facilities and garbage trucks. Battery Safety Now partnered with the US Forest Service's Woodsy Owl campaign to provide guidance on how to recycle batteries by type, including locator tools for drop-off sites. Battery Safety NowLoudoun County, Virginia, is considered the world's densest data center hubNicknamed "Data Center Alley," some estimates indicate that the region's approximately 200 data centers will generate over $1B in taxes in 2026, which county officials say will help lower residential property tax bills. However, from 2020 to 2025, wholesale electricity costs have risen by as much as 267% in areas near data centers. NBC4 WashingtonDuring emergencies, backup diesel generators in data centers emit substantial pollutionDuring power outages or when the power grid is at insufficient capacity, these generators emit 200 to 600 times more nitrogen oxides—a greenhouse gas—than natural gas plants, as well as fine particulate matter linked to respiratory disease. World Resources InstituteNew model replaces the Milky Way's central black hole with dark matterA study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society states that a dense core of fermionic dark matter, rather than a supermassive black hole, could explain both the rapid orbits of stars near the Milky Way's center and the galaxy's large-scale rotation detected in Gaia mission data. Phys.orgSpace-based solar power systems may beam energy to EarthResearchers have successfully collected power from solar panels on a plane and transmitted it to a receiver on Earth's surface, achieving a milestone for space-based energy. The proof of concept is a precursor for a satellite-based solar farm that would transmit energy 24 hours a day. IEEE SpectrumA beginner's guide to Toni MorrisonThe legendary American writer died in 2019, but her fiction is still as relevant as ever. This primer walks aspiring Morrison fans through her body of work, outlining the ideal starting point for several different kinds of readers. (Some readers may experience a paywall.) The New York TimesWastewater from geothermal power plants helps melt sidewalk snow in IcelandLocated on the Mid-Atlantic ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates move apart, the nation saw geothermal power meet more than 90% of its heating demand in 2024. After the hot water produced by these plants is used to heat homes and businesses, it is transferred through small pipes beneath Reykjavík's sidewalks. National GeographicThe Geysers is the largest geothermal power complex in the worldDespite the Mayacamas Mountains area north of San Francisco lacking geysers, the name given by a grizzly bear hunter stuck after the construction of The Geysers Resort Hotel to accommodate tourists. Natural steam vents in the region are funneled into more than 12 geothermal plants, each capable of powering about 40,000 homes. ABC10Watch a guided video tour of the Museum of Malware ArtThe site includes installations, sculptures, textiles, musical pieces, and galleries inspired by malicious software and related technologies, including the ILOVEYOU virus, encryption protocols from ransomware attacks, and the Industroyer malware framework used by Russia to cut power to Ukraine. Florian DalwigkAuthor David Foster Wallace's 'This Is Water' speech provides guidance for adulthoodWallace, a university professor and famed author of "Infinite Jest," delivered this commencement speech at Kenyon College in 2005. Wallace sought to avoid the usual conventions and instead gave future grads honest, direct advice for navigating everyday life as white-collar workers and challenging one's own self-centeredness. Jeffrey DaneseToday's massive data centers evolved from single-room mainframesPunch card computers from the late 1940s were used to store and process a company's data locally before the advent of desktop computers. As the amount of data and company sizes increased alongside the miniaturization of technology, mainframes were replaced by local server rooms and external facilities with interconnected servers running cloud-based and AI software. Stuff You Should KnowFracking rates may increase with the construction of new data centersIn Pennsylvania, plans to build at least five new facilities supported by gas-fired power plants are expected to escalate public health risks through surges in air and water pollution. Data center water demands are expected to further strain local resources. Yale E360Madison and Jefferson forged a political alliance that shaped the early US republicBeginning in the 1780s, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson collaborated closely to oppose centralized power, to found the Democratic-Republican Party, and to guide the nation's early debates on constitutional and foreign policy. Gilder Lehrman Institute of American HistoryWatch Apple Watch cases be 3D printed from titanium powderApple Watch Ultra 3 cases are 3D printed entirely from recycled, aerospace-grade titanium powder using lasers to fuse particles. Over 400 metric tons of raw titanium were saved in 2025, with two watches fabricated from the same amount of raw material that would have previously been used to make one. AppleWilbur published key papers, gave speeches in the burgeoning aviation communityMuch of the theoretical work is credited to Wilbur, whose scientific mind observed birds and early pioneers to discover the key problem to solve was control. This 1901 speech surveys the recent work in the field and showcases what the brothers worked on two years before their breakthrough flight. Journal of Western Society of EngineersUSB connectors for universal data transfer debuted in 1996Since the introduction of USB 1.0 by a consortium of companies, data transfer speeds have steadily increased from 1.5 megabits per second to 40 gigabits per second as of 2019. Variations in USB connector types enable them to be used for applications and devices that require different speeds and power. Same SkyLady Wonder, the horse with supposed clairvoyant powersLady Wonder became widely known as a horse that shared her special powers by spelling out words by using blocks with letters. She reportedly helped solve the case of a missing young boy while also offering advice and sports predictions. LIFEAs of 2025, wave power projects remain in early research and testing phasesWaves can become a steady source of renewable energy because they do not pause like wind and solar power do. However, funding gaps and the effects of storms, salt exposure, and biofouling—mussels and other sea creatures attaching to wave machines—have presented challenges in scaling the technology beyond testing sites. Science Friday'No big challenge has ever been solved, and no lasting improvement has ever been achieved, unless people dare to try something different.'- Apple CEO Tim Cook (1960 - present) TIMEThe Hays Code limited the ways horror films could scare audiencesBeginning in 1930, the Hays Code laid out a strict set of guidelines for Hollywood filmmakers to prevent films that might corrupt those with a “susceptible mind.” That meant no graphic violence, no sexual relations outside of marriage (or of a homosexual nature), and no interracial relationships, among other dictums. FANGORIAExperts suggest there is a 10% chance AI will cause human extinctionAI superintelligence may hijack infrastructure, including power grids and transportation systems, if it surpasses human controls. It may also design unstoppable pathogens or deplete resources, like electricity, meant for human use. MinuteEarthOsmotic power captures energy through water's movement across variations in salinityWater naturally moves from regions of low salinity, like freshwater, to areas of high salinity, like ocean water, across a semipermeable membrane. This movement produces pressure that can be harnessed to generate electricity. Earth.orgVisualize the power and frequency of earthquake magnitudesAbout 150 medium earthquakes—magnitude 6.0—occur every year, resulting in moderate shaking and some property damage. While millions of earthquakes below category 2.0 occur yearly, fewer than one of category 9.0 or higher occurs on average. Visual CapitalistMarina Abramović provides an interesting bridge between mainstream pop culture and unconventional artIn a 2024 interview with GQ, Abramović shares her opinion on the “Barbie” movie and Kim Kardashian, while also sharing abstract insights into the power of dreaming, solitude, and stillness. GQ GermanyThe carbon footprint of manufacturing a wind turbine is offset within seven monthsDespite initial carbon emissions during manufacturing, wind turbines generate nearly zero pollution across their 20- to 25-year lifetimes. Offsets occur when turbines replace energy generation from coal and natural gas plants, which emit carbon dioxide. Yale Climate ConnectionsAI's growing energy demands are driving tech companies to consider nuclear powerBig Tech has rebranded nuclear power as a green solution to address the strain on the grid from millions of people using power-hungry AI tools. As of mid-2025, generating one image uses as much electricity as charging the average smartphone, or leaving a household light bulb on for 87 consecutive days. The ConversationMaintenance, curtailment, congestion, and wind speed can park a wind turbineWind turbines are optimized to operate at wind speeds between about 10 and 80 kph, but an internal brake stops them if energy is not required. Routine preventative maintenance and cleaning also prevent blades from rotating. The Indianapolis StarCarbon-neutral data centers may be possible if built within wind turbinesWind turbine towers are typically hollow, housing only cables and a ladder for maintenance access. The excess electricity a wind turbine collects could power a stack of server racks more than 100 meters (328 feet) high within its tower. CNNWind energy is categorized into distributed, land-based, and offshore typesDistributed wind turbines serve on-site energy needs efficiently, while land-based ones are large and generate cost-competitive electricity. Offshore wind turbines capture powerful winds above the ocean and may be pounded into the seafloor using pile drivers. US Department of EnergyHow power plants deal with extreme surges in demandDuring big power surges—like on hot summer days—power plants have to adjust their power generation to keep up with the demand. Plants run by coal, oil, or renewables like wind and solar take time to make such adjustments, making a reduction in power across the grid more likely. Natural gas, on the other hand, can be tuned more quickly. Popular ScienceWhat happened at Ruby Ridge, the 1992 standoff in Idaho? In August 1992, a low-level attempt to arrest Randy Weaver on a firearms charge at his Idaho mountain cabin led to an 11-day standoff and three people dead. Weaver, a paranoid Christian fundamentalist who distrusted government, would become a folk hero among anti-government activists, and the incident would prompt scrutiny of the federal government's use of force. Slate MagazineThere are more than 300 different thematic ETFs Exchange-traded funds seem to offer something for everyone. As tracked by ETF.com, there are 338 thematic ETFs, offering exposure to “baskets” of stocks covering global infrastructure, genomics, cannabis, and more. ETF.comThe Spanish consolidated power in California with 21 strategic missionsThis map shows the order of establishment of the Franciscan-led missions whose saintly names still grace contemporary maps, from Santa Rosa in the north to San Diego in the south. California Mission GuideClimate models use complex equations and supercomputers to predict future climateThe equations apply the laws of thermodynamics, fluid motion, and radiative transfer to a 3D grid along Earth's surface. After solving them for each cell in the grid over a time interval, the results carry over to neighboring cells, and the process repeats into the future. NOAAAmerica’s first roller coaster initially transported coal instead of peopleThe Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway in the hills of Pennsylvania wasn’t initially intended to be a ride, but over time passengers and businessmen alike took advantage of the lovely tour through nature. The railway eventually reached over 100,000 riders in some years. Forgotten Lands, Places and TransitTesla's alternating current power's most of the world's electric gridsIn 1879, Thomas Edison’s light bulb relied on direct current, but such currents can't efficiently transmit power over long distances. Nikola Tesla introduced alternating current, which feature far fewer energy loses. Despite Edison’s attempts to discredit AC, Tesla proved its efficiency by lighting the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. 1440SpaceX successfully caught a rocket booster in mid-airAs part of the fifth test flight of its Starship system, the Super Heavy booster used high-speed navigation systems, grid fins, and Raptor engines to steer itself onto the mechanical arms of a tower called Mechazilla. 1440The flow of electricity in AC circuits flips back and forth, unlike DC circuitsAlternating currents in the US change the flow direction 120 times every second, allowing for efficient transformation and transmission of energy across power grids by sending energy at lower currents. This is changed into one-way direct currents when powering electronics. EcoFlowNuclear weapons release energy through rapid atomic reactionsNuclear weapons work by unleashing energy from atomic fission—or fusion—reactions. In fission bombs, a critical mass triggers a runaway chain reaction in milliseconds. This video explains the basic science behind their immense explosive power. RidddlePhotographing abandoned structures in the southeastern USLeland Kent is a photographer and historian who has captured hundreds of buildings across the southeast United States over the last 10 years in order to preserve the past before it's too late. His subjects include decommissioned power plants, closed youth jails, vacant plantation homes, and more, and he has published several city-focused books. Get lost in Kent's dramatic portrayals of once-lively structures in this extensive and gripping gallery. Abandoned SoutheastThe Aztecs worshipped a vast pantheon of more than 200 godsThis detailed visualization breaks down how Aztec deities were identified through symbolic cues—colors, garments, poses, and objects—each reflecting specific powers and mythologies. It highlights fearsome figures like Tlaltecuhtli, the earth monster depicted with a gaping maw, said to devour the sun each night. The PuddingLarger shares of solar power generation produce larger energy demand curvesBecause solar energy is only available during daylight hours, transitioning an electric grid to solar requires significant ramp-ups and ramp-downs of other energy sources during mornings and evenings to compensate. Widespread adoption of affordable energy storage solutions can soften these curves. US Department of Energy
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