However nuclear research has not recieved the status that it should have got.It has often been viewed very negatively and is considered the reason why the nuclear bomb was invented.In previous years number of scientists and engineers in this field of research have declined considerably.This may be due to the fact that personely in this field are considered controversial as nuclear science has been viewed very negatively in the past years.Also there is fear that such personel can leak information to terrorist groups which can cause an international incident.Though the probability of any terrorists group making a bomb are very very slim as one needs sophisticated instruments and technical expertise for such a task
Although I agree that there are potential dangers of nuclear technology there are many benefits also.Amongst all the natural resources for generating energy Nuclear energy is the most powerful.If used correctly it can solve the energy crisis we all now face.However the down side is again the very nature of nuclear fuel itself.Sophisticated reactors along with a very skillful staff of electricians, mechanics and most importantly nuclear scientists and engineers are needed for the safe operation of the plant.Uranium and plutonium are highly radioactive and this sort of radioactivity can cause serious health problem if someone comes into contact with.For this reason special protection is needed.The reactor is covered with alluminum and thick lead to prevent any leak of radiations.Core temperature of the reactor is closely monitored as it should not exceed a certain level.Nuclear Fission occurs in the reactor.In this reaction an atom is split when a neutron hits it.This causes the atom to split into further 2 atoms plus giving out energy and more neutrons.New ways are now being discovered to produce energy.Another reaction on which there considerable research is Nuclear fusion wherby 2 heavy hydrogen atoms are combines releasing a far greator amount of energy then Nuclear fission.Research is currently being carried out on this.
Another major involvment of nuclear technology has just started recently in the field of medicine.Although known as medical physics , nuclear engineering is contributing a lot to this underdeveloped field.Research in these areas has led to the development of the MRI, X rays , radiation therapy which is essential for treating cancer patients.
The image of nuclear engineering is rapidly improving.Job opening have increased for such posts and there has become a shortage of nuclear engineers. Not suprisingly salaries have also gone up for people in this field.Current areas of research include Plasma physics, medical physics , nuclear medicine and Nuclear fusion technology.
It is possible that we might seen major developments in this field in the coming years like next generation nuclear powerplants for nuclear fusion, major breakthroughs in the field of medical science etc etc.
