Exploring Otto Hahn and the Impact of Nuclear Fission
MCI is looking at the work of Otto Hahn this week. He was one of the inventors in a team who discovered nuclear fission. He passed away today in 1968 and his team’s invention changed the world as we know it, for good and for ill. Literally splitting atoms to create large amounts of energy was something that was an almost accidental discovery in 1938. It led to the creation of nuclear power plants to create electricity and, of course, the atomic bomb.
For those of you who have seen the film Oppenheimer, or watched the devastation of the Chernobyl and Fukoshima nuclear plant, fission represents destruction and pollution. It is important to remember, however, that nuclear fission also led to the use of radioisotopes to take imaging of the body in medicine. Without this technology, we would not be able to identify or treat certain diseases. Isotopes are also used in criminal investigation to find minute traces of paint, gunpowder and poisons among other evidence to help convict criminals. Nuclear energy has also allowed us to explore deep space, providing energy for our probes. Nuclear is, without a doubt a double edged sword.
MCI has worked with Universities, helping them to develop machinery. We feel very honoured that the quality of our work is of such a high calibre, that we could assist in their research and development. If you need some assistance with machinery, new or old, give us a call on 01324 611371 to see how we can help you.