Peaceful uses of nuclear energy

Nuclear technology for peaceful purpose is traditionally divided into five principal areas: mining and processing of nuclear raw materials; the production of enriched uranium; the fabrication of nuclear fuel elements; the design construction and operation of nuclear reactors; and fuel reprocessing.

Apart from the use of nuclear energy to produce electricity from power reactors, it has also been used extensively in agriculture, medicine, industry, biology and hydrology.

The origins of a commitment to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes can be traced to President Eisenhower’s ‘Atoms for Peace’ speech in 1953 and the subsequent establishment of the IAEA in 1956. In Treaty terms, this commitment found its most explicit formulation in preamble paragraphs 6 and 7, and Article IV of the NPT.

Nuclear energy can be used for destruction as well as for construction. The world needs nuclear power and will need it more in the years to come. We can see the nuclear applications in industry, nuclear radiations and radioactive materials are providing more accurate control in the production of better and cheaper things.

Another application of nuclear is in the field of agriculture. Radiation is finding widespread use, like to improve the present varieties of fruit, vegetables and crops. Another thing where Pakistan is lacking behind is the electricity. Nuclear energy can help is the supply of cheap electricity.

It can help in easy generation and regeneration of water to produce electricity. The best use of the nuclear energy is in the field of medical sciences, the diseases of the thyroid have been classified with the use of radio iodine which the gland absorbs far more easily.

The peaceful application of nuclear energy is one of several factors contributing to the process usually described as automation, more precisely perhaps: the process of rationalisation, or the fusion of science and production in industry. Scientists have started using it for the good of society.

At present, power is produced from atom in advanced countries. Other countries are also making efforts to produce electricity at cheap rates from atomic power plants.

Small amounts of radioactive materials are used in these plants to produce electricity on a very large scale. The radiations given out by atomic reactors are sometimes used for the treatment of diseases like cancer. These radiations are also used to kill dangerous germs and insects in foods and cultivated fields.

There can be nuclear energy societies or organisations in different parts of world. Nuclear scientists can become members of there societies to work together for peaceful uses of atomic energy. We should make the best use of atomic energy for the energy for the benefit of all human beings. The IAEA has been widely acclaimed for its efforts in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear power and non-proliferation.

MOBEEN TARIQ

Lahore