/
Article

Special Issue: Radioactive Waste

JUN 01, 1997
John F. Ahearne

What can be done with radioactive waste? This extremely difficult question has not really been answered anywhere in the world; yet it must be answered. Like death and taxes, radioactive waste is with us—it cannot be wished away. This special, five‐article issue of PHYSICS TODAY reviews the technical problems and risks, outlines the reasons why the basic question posed above has not been answered and suggests some possible new approaches that could enable us to make progress.

This article is only available in PDF format

More about the authors

John F. Ahearne, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Related content
/
Article
Myriad solutions emerge in the stressful process of balancing professional ambition and personal happiness.
/
Article
An interview with a prominent member of the Marshallese diaspora delves into the ongoing impact of aboveground US nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific archipelago.
/
Article
Detecting quantum particles of gravity was long considered hopeless. A new perspective, which takes advantage of quantum technologies, suggests that an experimental realization may be closer than previously thought.
/
Article
As higher-education programs compete for a shrinking pool of students, departments must better communicate the value that a physics major brings.
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_1997_06.jpeg

Volume 50, Number 6

Get PT newsletters in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.