OSU-Tulsa professor to discuss issues concerning nuclear energy

Thursday, March 13, 2008

(March 13, 2008   TULSA, OK) – The word nuclear often evokes images of the mushroom cloud, radiation sickness and Chernobyl. Yet, the United States generates about 20 percent of the nation’s electricity from nuclear power plants.  
 
Oklahoma State University-Tulsa professor Dr. Raman P. Singh will explore the benefits and concerns over the use of nuclear energy in his presentation “The Power Struggle: Is Nuclear Energy a Savior or a Threat?” on March 28 at noon in OSU-Tulsa’s Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center.
 
Singh will discuss nuclear energy issues such as safety, public perceptions, global warming and his development of advanced nuclear fuels in OSU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Singh will also talk about current factors that he believes are leading to a potential “renaissance” in the use of nuclear energy for meeting domestic and global demands.
 
"Global energy demand is expected to increase by 50 percent by 2030 and double by 2050. This will be accompanied by soaring levels of greenhouse gas emissions,” Singh said. “The implications for climate change, political instability and the economy are enormous. Oklahoma, with its rich energy history and legacy, can contribute to this change. The question is how?"
 
During his presentation, Singh will also address the U.S. Department of Energy programs, such as the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), that explore the worldwide use and development of safe nuclear energy.
 
The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is part of the Faculty Research Excellence Series presented by the OSU-Tulsa Library. Attendees are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch to the presentation or reserve a boxed lunch for $8.95 by calling 918-594-8133 by Wednesday, March 26.
 
The lecture will also be broadcast in high-definition to OSU-Stillwater Telecommunications Building 126 and OSU-Oklahoma City Business Technologies Building 107.
OSU-Tulsa is located just north of downtown at 700 N. Greenwood Avenue, near I-244 and Detroit Avenue. To learn more, call 918-594-8000.