New technology could detect radioactive threats in nuclear wastewater

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New technology could detect radioactive threats in nuclear wastewater

In light of the recentnuclear disaster at Fukushima'sDaiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, scientists are reporting progress toward a new way to detect the radioactive materials known as uranium and plutonium found inwastewater.

Highlighted in the American Chemical Society's (ACS')Journal of Physical Chemistry C., authors Jorge M. Seminario and Narendra Kumar discuss the design of a highly-sensitive nanosensor that can potentially help eliminate potential dangers of nuclear disposals and unforeseen accidents.

Seminario and Kumar note that it is highly likely radioactiveuraniumandplutoniumhave leaked into the soil andgroundwaternear nuclear facilities. This contamination poses a serious threat to the environment and human health. Although detecting these materials even at low levels is important for determining whether a leak is occurring, traditional methods of doing so are not effective.

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