By Connie Schmidt
Roger Blomquist, a volunteer from Argonne National Laboratory in Willowbrook will provide a plain-English overview of nuclear technology in the Argonne Nuclear Energy Exhibition Hall. He will describe the history of nuclear energy and Argonne’s role in it, the basics of how nuclear reactors work, what reactors and the fuel look like, and nuclear waste. He will also explain how advanced reactors are different from our current ones and what that means for the future. If there is time, he can discuss research reactors, which do not produce electricity but have other missions.
In addition, he will give an overview of the Advanced Photon Source, where Nobel Prizes have been won. It’s about 500 meters across, so it will be viewed from the observation deck on the 5th floor. The group will be able to see the massive mechanical and electronic guts of the accelerator from the visitor’s gallery.
At this point Sierra Club does not sanction Nuclear Energy, but this is a very special opportunity to learn more about this topic as the state investigates energy needs for the Illinois Grid. Participation requires registration. Anyone who attends must bring a Real ID or passport and provide a mobile number and email address on the sign-up form. The Real ID or equivalent is required for site access. Registration will close on Feb. 10, 2027.
For more information about Argonne National Lab, see https://www.anl.gov/argonne-national-laboratory. The “Visiting Argonne” link lists requirements and procedures for visitors.
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