The fundamental knowledge on neutrinos acquired over recent past years gives new opportunities of applied neutrino physics. We present the principle of automatic and non-intrusive monitoring of nuclear reactor by its antineutrino signal. Direct applications such as control of the thermal power and plutonium content of the core could be very valuable to reactor operators as well as to the International Atomic Energy Agency in charge of the control of nuclear power plants. After a brief review of worldwide data we present the design and goals of the Nucifer project, a miniature antineutrino detector under development in France. Recent progresses on associated simulations of the antineutrino spectrum emitted by a nuclear reactor are also discussed.
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