Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates (News 
- Alert) is apparently trying to get China interested in what is being described as a “safer” nuclear reactor.
Gates is now in China meeting with officials on his proposal and discussing other topics, according to a report from The Associated Press. Gates also happens to be a top investor in U.S.-based TerraPower, which is working on a reactor that it says can operate on depleted uranium.
"The idea is to be very low cost, very safe and generate very little waste," Gates said in a recent statement made at China's Ministry of Science and Technology and carried by TMCnet. "TerraPower is having very good discussions with CNNC [the China National Nuclear Corporation] and various people in the Chinese government."
TerraPower, or its representatives, have also met with officials from India and Russia to discuss the proposed nuclear technology.
TerraPower claims the proposed reactor would lead to “lower amounts of nuclear waste than conventional reactors,” The AP says. The proposed reactor also would do a better job of withstanding damage from natural disasters.
TerraPower says on its website it wants to “radically” improve the designs of nuclear reactor, and it has proposed a “traveling wave reactor.” Traveling wave reactors were discussed theoretically starting in the late 1950s. But with new technology and advancements in knowledge, it is far more likely a practical solution can be developed and implemented now, according to TerraPower.
Khosla Ventures became an investor in TerraPower in 2010. Other investors include: Charles River Ventures, Intellectual Ventures (News - Alert) co-founder Nathan Myhrvold, and Gates.
Even though the reactor is considered safer, nuclear power generation is “an area that has often been opposed by green advocacy groups,” says Mary Cronin (News - Alert), a Boston College academic, writing recently on TMCnet. As far as getting a traveling wave reactor operational, it may take 10 to 15 years, says John Gillebrand, a TerraPower executive, TMCnet reports.
Up to a billion dollars may soon be invested in research and development for the proposed safer reactor, The AP adds.
Ed Silverstein is a TMCnet contributor. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.Edited by
Jamie Epstein
