Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe What is the future of nuclear power?
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Apr 8, 2025 Dive into the fascinating world of nuclear power as two hosts break down the intricacies of fission and fusion. Discover how new reactor technologies aim to mitigate risks while navigating historical contexts and the evolution of light water reactors. Lively anecdotes about nerdy celebrations add a touch of humor, balancing serious discussions on environmental impacts and geopolitical implications. Explore innovative designs like gas-cooled reactors and thorium fuel, highlighting their promise in the fight against climate change.
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Pandemic Cake Engineering Tale
- Daniel Whiteson once built a large cake with movable parts during the pandemic, which won a neighborhood competition.
- The resulting leftover food unintentionally caused a rat population surge, leading to a pet rat adoption and eventually getting a dog.
Chemistry Themed Birthday Parties
- Kelly Weinersmith celebrated her birthday with chemistry-themed parties during undergrad.
- The parties featured fun chemistry trivia and helped make chemistry engaging and enjoyable.
Fusion vs. Fission Explained
- Fusion powers stars by fusing light elements to heavier ones up to iron, releasing energy.
- Fission releases energy by splitting heavy elements toward iron; energy release depends on moving toward iron.