As a neutrino physicist I find myself in an interesting situation: What others consider from "a threat to the environment" to sometimes an "extreme danger to mankind" I consider a useful tool to study neutrinos and learn more about these mysterious particles that fill our Universe.
Nuclear power plants are a powerful source of (anti)neutrinos. They are poduced in the fission reactions of uranium and plutonioum in the core of a reactor. Neutrinos are completely harmless. They pass right through you, the Earth, and most material to that matter without leaving a trace. For the past five decades scientists have studied neutrinos from the Sun, accelerators, and reactors to find out more about the nature of these particles and what holds our Universe together.
Most western countries have stopped building nuclear power plants and in the US the last one was commissioned in the 1980's. Unsolves issues of spent nuclear fuel storage, Chernobyl, and other nuclear accidents have sensitized the population to the dangers of nuclear technology. But can we live without nuclear power?
Over the past two years we have tried to convince the owners of a power plant in California to engage in a scientific project that would allow us to make a precision study of the neutrinos from the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. Security concerns, environmental concerns, and possible interference with on-site operations amongst other things were cited as reasons for their non-cooperation. Whatever the reason, in the end it reflects the attitude of society towards nuclear power in general. Nowadays nuclear reactors try to avoid the public scence to minimize protests and public concerns. Science and the prospects of an international scientific project could not change that perception.
Now it looks like the project we propose might go to China. Just a few days ago there was an article in the NYTimes about the boom of nuclear power in China. They plan to commission two new reactors a year. Wow! Their pride in this economic achievement shows in their attitude towards science. They are keen to host the experiment and to conduct what might become an important future experiment in neutrino physics. And scientists and representatives from the US have met with people from the highest political level in China to talk about this project.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/15/international/asia/15china.html?oref=login
Do you think I could talk to Dick Cheney about our next neutrino hunt?