LASER ISOTOPE SEPARATION: Fuel-enrichment method garners GE contract

摘要

A closely guarded technology developed in Australia for separation of isotopes by laser excitation (SILEX) appears to have cleared enough of the significant technological, economic, and political hurdles in the controversial field of nuclear-fuel enrichment to attract the attention and collaboration of the General Electric (GE) nuclear business (Wilmington, NC). In May, GE signed an exclusive agreement with Silex Systems (New South Wales, Australia) to license the technology and develop the company's next-generation low-enriched-uranium manufacturing process in the United States.