U.S. Studies Microwave Technology for HEU Casting

The U.S. Department of Energy is testing microwave technology for casting highly enriched uranium for nuclear weapons at its Y-12 National Security Complex in Tennessee for use in nuclear weapons, the Associated Press reported Sunday.

“This is a promising use of microwave technology, and it is likely to be used in a new production facility,” said DOE spokeswoman DiAnn Fields.

The microwave facilities would be “much smaller” than the current casting facilities and would improve nuclear safety and energy efficiency, according to Y-12 officials (Associated Press/WKRN.com, Sept. 5).

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