Decouple

Aleksey Rezvoi, a veteran maritime nuclear engineer educated in the Soviet Union, shares his insights on Russia’s maritime nuclear fleet. He reveals the historical significance of the Lenin icebreaker and the evolution of reactor designs to modern small modular reactors (SMRs). Rezvoi discusses the practicalities of Arctic logistics, contrasts Russian operational experience with Western SMR hype, and highlights the importance of system economics. He also addresses safety paradigms, fuel innovations, and the unique challenges of designing reactors for maritime conditions.

François Morin, a lead for the World Nuclear Association on China, brings his unique insights from traveling across Chinese reactor sites and speaking fluent Mandarin. He discusses the impressive speed of China’s nuclear construction compared to past French standards, revealing the challenges of transitioning from coal and gas. François explains the operational nuances of various advanced reactors, including the CAP1400, and the cultural hesitancies toward inland builds. He also highlights China’s ambitious plans for sodium fast and high-temperature gas reactors, while addressing geopolitical hurdles in nuclear exports.

Dan Wang, a research fellow at Stanford’s Hoover History Lab and author of Breakneck, explores the contrast between China as an 'engineering state' and the U.S. as a 'lawyerly society.' He discusses the rise of engineers in China's political landscape post-Mao and how the U.S. shifted towards legalism in the 60s and 70s. Wang shares insights from his cycling trip in Guizhou, the implications of the one-child policy, and China's ambitious infrastructure projects, revealing both the benefits and drawbacks of state control and capacity.

Jesse Ausubel, an environmental scientist and director at The Rockefeller University, discusses groundbreaking ideas on sustainability. He delves into the concept of logistic S-curves to explain trends in energy systems. Ausubel highlights the 'environmental trifecta' of land-sparing, decarbonization, and dematerialization, while addressing the complexities in these areas. He also shares insights on hydrogen's potential, challenges in energy transitions, and reflects on the future of biodiversity through innovative frameworks and long-term thinking.

Jesse Huebsch, a principal process engineer with expertise in chemical plant design and decarbonization, dives into the complexities of industrial process heat. He explains how steel and ammonia are produced, detailing methods for decarbonization and the challenges of electrification. The discussion reveals the role of steam quality in efficiency and the practicalities of integrating high-temperature reactors with existing systems. Jesse also explores the importance of maintaining consistent industrial heat and the potential of nuclear energy in this effort.

Nuclear has entered its meme stock moment. Last week, Oklo hit a market capitalization of $20.7 billion—more than established nuclear giants BWXT, Curtiss-Wright, and AtkinsRéalis—despite having zero revenue, no NRC design certification, and a rejected license application. In my conversation with returning guest Michael Seely, aka AtomicBlender, we examine this preposterous valuation built on glossy renderings rather than demonstrated readiness. If Rosatom, with 70 years of R&D and thousands of specialized engineers, struggles to make sodium fast reactors commercially viable, how will a Silicon Valley startup accomplish it in two years? When this bubble bursts, the entire nuclear renaissance may pay the price.

Join award-winning science writer Peter Brannen, who specializes in deep-time geoscience, as he explains the 4.5 billion-year saga of carbon dioxide. Discover how CO2 shaped early life and the planet's evolution through events like Snowball Earth and the Permian extinction. Hear about the role of fossil fuels in creating an oxygen-rich atmosphere and how climate shifts influenced human evolution. Brannen also dives into the significance of small CO2 changes and early human impacts on today's climate.

Alex Wellerstein, an associate professor known for his work on nuclear secrecy and creator of NukeMap, dives into the intricate history of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. He reveals how covert operations, like Israel's uranium acquisition in the 1960s, shaped current dynamics. They discuss Iran's strategic nuclear pursuits and Israel's ambiguous policies. Wellerstein also sheds light on significant events like the Vela incident and the implications of recent attacks on Iranian facilities, highlighting the uncertain future of nuclear weapons in the region.

David Abraham, a natural resource strategist and author of 'The Elements of Power', discusses the vital role of rare earth metals in today’s geopolitics. He reveals how these elements, critical for technology and military applications, are reshaping global power dynamics. With China controlling 90% of the refining market, he warns of the implications for supply chains. From the evolution of materials in warfare to the future of electric vehicles, the conversation highlights the urgency of developing independent supplies to navigate rising global tensions.

Henry Sanderson, a former journalist and author of 'Volt Rush,' dives into the rise of the global battery industry. He charts the evolution of battery technology from early experiments to today's critical role in clean energy. The discussion reveals how China emerged as a powerhouse in electric vehicles, driven by industrial policies and ethical dilemmas in cobalt mining. Sanderson also highlights the environmental impacts of nickel mining in Indonesia and the competition between lithium-ion and emerging sodium-ion technologies.