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Using a Toy Train To Calibrate a Reactor

Posted by samzenpus on from the little-engine-that-could-measure-minute-amounts dept.

alfredos writes "Physicists and engineers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory built tracks inside a fusion reactor and ran a toy train for three days to help them with their calibrations. From the article: 'The modified model of a diesel train engine was carrying a small chunk of californium-252, a radioactive element that spews neutrons as it falls apart. “We needed to refine the calibration technique to make sure we are measuring our neutrons as accurately as possible,” said Masa Ono, the project head of the National Spherical Torus Experiment.'"

7 of 120 comments (clear)

  1. So what is this... by srothroc · · Score: 5, Funny

    Nuclear reactor training?

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    1. Re:So what is this... by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 4, Funny

      One of these days I'm going to have to set up my laptop right beside the drumset and read slashdot.

      Gotta practice those rimshots.

      (who knows, maybe one day I'll be a great sidekick on a late night talk show!)

  2. Aha! by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 4, Funny

    You can use this just about anywhere. Now I have an excuse to bring the train into the office!

    Boss: What's this?

    Me: I'm calibrating the security cameras motion detection system. We need to know at what speeds the motion detection fails, lest the server room be broken into by someone with alot of patience.

  3. Makes more sense than... by Jon.Laslow · · Score: 5, Funny

    Makes more sense than using random passengers to test your airport bomb-detecting technology.

    Oh. Right.

  4. Casey Jones by Dupple · · Score: 4, Funny

    Casey Jones, streaming and decaying
    Casey on the Californium Express

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig3GcDBjQN4

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    Watch those corners
  5. Link to the original article at the lab by cruff · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.pppl.gov/PPPLnews101.cfm

  6. Glowing trains by woboyle · · Score: 4, Funny

    I can just see the adv. on eBay now: Slightly used, somewhat radioactive train set. Glows in the dark! Minimum bid $50.00

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    Sometimes, real fast is almost as good as real-time.