What is so difficult about nuclear technology?

Question

What is so difficult about nuclear technology that only a handful of nations have mastered it?

Answer 1

Nuclear technology isn't the problem. Any nation interested in nuclear power generation can simply buy the reactor and the fuel. Processing uranium ore into reactor-grade fuel is difficult but routine. Again, a nation interested in nuclear power generation would simply buy the fuel rather than invest in the processing technology.

The only issue is placing the capability to produce fission weapons and dirty bombs into the hands of nations which have thoroughly and repeatedly demonstrated that they can't be trusted to use it properly. To do that would be just plain stupid.

Answer 2

If you are talking about power generation;
Public relations, is the biggest difficulty. Cheap oil is a problem too. Building and operating a safe and effective reactor is expensive, and cheap oil presents a financial difficulty in competing. Of course safety is very important, but many reactors operate relatively safely. It's the failures that get the most press. There are many technical challenges, and waste disposal is a big problem, but the biggest problem is PR. Once oil prices get above a few hundred dollars a barrel, nuclear will start looking a lot less difficult.

For weapons, lookup the Manhattan project, it was kind of a big operation.

Answer 3

You learn how it works in high school chemistry. But you have to get the materials - like enough refined uranium. That's the hard part, since no one really wants to sell it to you.