Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is the practice of using nuclear processes to generate

power. Nuclear processes such as fission, decay, and fusion may all
provide nuclear energy. Currently, nuclear power plants use uranium and
plutonium fission to generate the great majority of the electricity
generated by nuclear energy.

Uses
–Space exploration
A great deal of what we know about deep space has been made
possible by radioisotope power systems (RPSs). These small nuclear
power sources are used to power spaceships in the extreme
environments of deep space.

–Nuclear Power
Nuclear provides nearly 20% of electricity in the United States. It’s also
the nation’s largest source of clean energy. Jamaica operates the
Caribbean’s only nuclear reactor as part of a research project at the
University of West Indies (UWI). Previously, nuclear had been
considered infeasible due to the cost and modest size of Jamaica’s
electricity demand; however, the situation has begun to change since the
development of smaller, cheaper nuclear reactors ranging in size from a
few thousand kilowatts to a few hundred MWe in the design phase.
–Medical diagnosis and Treatment
Nuclear medical imaging, which combines the safe administration of
radioisotopes with camera imaging, helps physicians locate tumours,
size anomalies, or other problems. Doctors also use radioisotopes
therapeutically to kill cancerous tissue, reduce the size of tumours, and
alleviate pain. Patients from the Eastern Caribbean who are usually
required to seek medical assistance in North America and other areas
will now be able to access health services in the French territory of
Guadeloupe, which is currently in negotiations to become an Associate
Member of the Organization of the East Caribbean States (OECS).
–Criminal Investigation
Criminal investigators frequently rely on radioisotopes to obtain
physical evidence linking a suspect to a specific crime. They can be
used to identify trace chemicals in materials such as paint, glass, tape,
gunpowder, lead, and poisons.

–Agriculture
Nuclear technologies have made a big difference in detecting,
controlling and preventing transboundary animal and zoonotic diseases.
In Belize, veterinary officers used to have to send samples to
laboratories abroad to detect outbreaks of diseases. However, the Belize
Agricultural Health Authority teamed up with the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre
to establish its own Animal Health Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory. With
the proper equipment and training, lab technicians used real-time
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, a molecular nuclear technique,
to rapidly detect diseases. With these quick and accurate diagnoses,
they informed field workers who could then take actions to swiftly control
the disease.
Advantages
-Fuel from nuclear energy projects are reusable
-Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
-Nuclear energy provides countries with an economic boost
-Cost of nuclear energy is manageable for most countries

Disadvantages
-There is always a threat of an accident when working with nuclear
energy
-The uranium needed for nuclear energy can also become a weapon
-There is a waste issue to consider with nuclear energy
-Exposure to nuclear materials or uranium can lead to health problems