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Cosmic Rays To Reveal the Melted Nuclear Fuel In Fukushima's Reactors

the_newsbeagle writes: Muons, produced when cosmic rays collide with molecules in the atmosphere, are streaming through your body as you read this. The particles pass through most matter unimpeded, however they can interact with heavy elements like uranium and plutonium. That's why engineers at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi power plant are using muon detectors to look for the melted nuclear fuel inside the plant's three melted-down reactors. By determining where muons are being diverted from their paths, the detectors create images of the blobs of fuel. That's necessary because nobody knows exactly where the radioactive gloop ended up during the meltdowns.

3 of 68 comments (clear)

  1. Re:gloop by PPH · · Score: 3, Funny

    Gloop is an element. TFS didn't say exactly which isotopic form of Gl they are looking for.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  2. You know... by jamiesan · · Score: 3, Funny

    You've got to remember that these are just simple sub-atomic particles.

    They are unstable. Common clay of the elements.

    You know... Muons

  3. Re:gloop by ihtoit · · Score: 3, Funny

    nope. Absolutely the worst, most vile, toxic and unpleasant half.

    The rest is made up of unicorn farts, smurf cum and angel titty.

    --
    Political debates have me rolling my eyes so much I think I got optical whiplash. I should sue. - Foamy The Squirrel