Tritium plan eyes waste as fuel

A plan to extract tritium from nuclear waste could fuel fusion, but its feasibility and funding remain uncertain.

Scientists Pitch Bold Plan to Turn Nuclear Waste Into Nuclear Fuel

A study led by Terence Tarnowsky at Los Alamos National Laboratory proposes turning thousands of tons of radioactive waste into a source of tritium for nuclear fusion. The plan uses a superconducting linear accelerator to beam waste surrounded by molten lithium salt. The process would trigger reactions inside the waste that release neutrons and produce tritium. Supporters say the method could generate more tritium than a fusion plant with the same thermal power.

Tritium is extremely scarce and decays with a half life of 12.3 years, which makes breeding tricky. Critics ask whether the science is ready and if regulators would approve the large changes needed to handle waste and the new reactor chemistry. Tarnowsky says the plan requires bold public and private funding, plus a long horizon of planning. He adds that every year existing reactors accumulate spent fuel, increasing liabilities. Still, he argues that pursuing fusion is worth it and that public fear has eased in recent years.

The idea sits at a difficult edge of waste management and future energy. It reframes a long standing risk as a possible resource, but the technical hurdles are real and regulatory scrutiny would be intense. If funded, the plan would signal a major shift in how governments and companies view nuclear materials and their role in clean energy. The outcome depends on safety assurances, cost control, and international oversight.

If the approach proves feasible, it could link waste handling to a faster path for fusion progress and reduce liabilities from spent fuel. If not, it could divert scarce dollars from other promising ideas and fuel public skepticism about nuclear power. The story underlines how bold bets in energy science ride on patient capital, clear safety plans, and transparent policy choices.

Highlights

The road to fusion will test how boldly we can turn waste into a driver of cleaner power.