Russia invents method of producing nuclear fuel

Scientists at the Far Eastern Federal University have invented a new method of producing nuclear fuel using electric current, said the university Friday.

Main advantages of the new technology are low cost, quick manufacturing process, and improvement of product quality. Fuel can be produced even from uranium dioxide powder, which is not suitable for common technology, the press service said.

"The key idea of our method is heating with electric current. It flows through a mould that already has some powder on it. In such conditions uranium oxide fuel experiences the powerful pulsed discharge and mechanical pressure simultaneously," said Ivan Tananaev, head of the department of nuclear technologies at the school of natural sciences. Endi