The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission provides a powerful legal barrier against antinuclear forces in the USA who seek to delay and destroy nuclear energy through legal uncertainty. But now the NRC is under full-scale attack from a bunch of folks who don't seem to understand the

I signed my Scientist 2 conversion paperwork today at LANL! It’s been a whirlwind post-doc, but I’m excited to stay on and work on modernizing our nations radiographic capabilities. I’ll do some fusion and pure accelerator physics on the side as well.

Meet the nation’s smallest nuclear power plant. The Ginna nuclear power plant in Ontario, New York generates 576 megawatts of reliable power which is enough to power more than 425,000 homes in the region.

Thorium is a fine nuclear fuel, but there's nothing magical about it. People online almost always mistakenly compare uranium non-breeders to thorium breeders and conclude that Th wins, forgetting to mention that uranium can breed too. Here are the infamous Thorium Myths... 🧵

I just had the most Bay Area experience ever. I went to a coffee shop where the coffee was made and served by a robot! The bot proceeded to spill everywhere and the coffee cost more than just going to Starbucks, so I think barista jobs remain safe.

I was lucky enough to be able to see the SLAC facility (LCLS-II and I) yesterday. These are honest to god x-ray lasers! I would argue that this is probably the most useful scientific facility this country has made yet. 3 km of glorious accelerator, undulator, and experiment hall!

I have finally been in a truly autonomous car (Waymo)! It’s a very neat and seamless experience, although notably more expensive and less responsive than Uber/Lyft. The cars a nice though, and drive quite well.

I finally got to see the NIF today and just… wow. What a massive scientific cathedral! I also really like how they kept the target holders from the first burning plasma and ignited shots! Those are great pieces of history.

Welp, the tariffs got me. I ordered optics from France(the only supplier in the world for this part) and they are now hundreds of dollars more expensive and also delayed for weeks in customs. I may not be able to complete this project due to costs. Are we winning yet Donnie?

I picked up some light reading for the weekend. I'm excited to learn just how nuts those 50's/60's weapons scientists were!

Today is my first day as a staff scientist. After literal decades of school, I finally have a “real” job.

It’s fun to be back at the University of Rochester LLE and doing laser wakefield based radiography again. Fingers crossed we get some good images out!

I was at the Mars Society Convention last month, and I heard a popular space blogger say that he “just couldn’t make the math work” for nuclear electric propulsion to outperform solar sails (referring to Jared Isaacman’s affinity for NEP). 🧵