Small Modular Reactors (SMR): The Energy of the Future

Small Modular Reactors (SMR)

Small Modular Reactors, commonly known by the acronym SMR, are one of the technologies gaining traction in the nuclear energy sector. With the growing energy demand and the urgent need for sustainable solutions to combat climate change, these modular reactors emerge as a more affordable and faster-to-build option compared to traditional nuclear reactors.

In this article, we will delve into the fundamentals of SMRs, how they work, their advantages and challenges, and their potential to play a crucial role in the energy transition towards a low-carbon future. While wind and solar energy are often the first options discussed in clean energy, SMRs offer an alternative that could complement the global energy mix.

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John Napier’s slide rule: history, functions and legacy

Napier's Slide Rule

Napier’s Slide Rule is one of the most significant discoveries in the history of mathematics and engineering. This fascinating instrument was developed in the 17th century by John Napier, a Scottish mathematician who also created logarithms. It was an innovation that remained indispensable to scientists, engineers, and mathematicians worldwide for over three centuries.

In this article, we delve into the details of how this invention came to be, how it works, and why its impact is still felt in modern technology. From how engineers carried it in their pockets to its ultimate replacement by electronic calculators, you will gain an in-depth understanding of this tool that enabled quick and reliable calculations for centuries.

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The ELT (Extremely Large Telescope): The World’s Biggest Eye on the Sky

Imagen del Telescopio ELT

The project of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), currently under construction in the arid Atacama Desert in Chile, represents one of the most spectacular advances in the history of astronomy. This telescope will be the most powerful ever built, featuring a segmented mirror 39 meters in diameter that will allow it to capture images of the universe with unprecedented clarity.

The ELT will not only be fundamental for the study of galaxies and exoplanets but will also mark a turning point in the search for life outside our solar system. With the promise of uncovering the deepest secrets of the cosmos, this instrument will be capable of observing details that have so far been beyond the reach of the most advanced ground-based telescopes.

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