For any country that wants to be strong and independent, gaining modern science is not a choice; it is a must. One of the most important of these modern sciences is the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Today, nuclear technology and its unique applications are an integral part of daily human life in modern industrialized communities.
The ability of each country or society to benefit from the peaceful privileges of nuclear energy is a determining factor in the degree and level of its progress.
The strong focus the Leader has put on this path is like a bright light, showing our scientists and experts the way to master this advanced field for the good of all people.
In a speech on June 15, 2006, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, stated: "The importance of using nuclear energy and getting nuclear technology in our country is greater than finding and taking oil out of the ground."
Later, on April 9, 2015, he explained more about why this is so important. He said, "The nuclear industry is a need for a country; both for power, and for nuclear medicine, which is very important, and for making seawater into fresh water, and for many other needs in farming and other areas. The nuclear industry in the world is a top-level industry; it is an important industry."
Looking to the future, Ayatollah Khamenei, on February 22, 2021, said, "In a few years, without a doubt, nuclear power plants will be one of the most important sources of energy in countries. The day when oil is finished, or the day when other uses for oil are found, nuclear power plants, which make energy that is healthier, cleaner, and costs less, will be found everywhere in countries."
Today, nuclear technology and its special uses are a normal part of daily life in advanced societies. How much a country can use the peaceful benefits of nuclear energy decides how much it can progress.
This report will look at the real, peaceful uses of nuclear energy that help people every day. We will see how it gives us electricity, helps doctors heal patients, and helps farmers grow more food.
A steady and clean source of electricity
One of the biggest uses of nuclear energy is making electricity. Nuclear-generated electricity is simply power made from the huge amount of heat that comes from splitting tiny atoms. This happens in a safe and controlled place called a nuclear reactor. The heat makes steam, the steam turns a big turbine (like a very powerful fan), and the turbine spins a generator to make electricity.
Think of it like boiling a kettle to make steam, but on a giant scale that can power whole cities.
Nuclear power offers reliable energy, operating continuously regardless of weather, unlike solar or wind. It's cleaner for the air, as nuclear plants don't produce the pollution associated with burning fossil fuels, which harms health and contributes to climate change. Moreover, a small quantity of nuclear fuel generates a substantial amount of electricity, ensuring a long-lasting and dependable power source.
As the Leader said, this source of power is not only cleaner but also cheaper in the long run. It is clear that for a growing country, this is the power of the future.
Healing with the atom: Nuclear medicine
Medicine might be the most important use for most people. Nuclear technology has completely changed how doctors find and treat serious illnesses, saving millions of lives every year.
A key tool is something called a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical. This is a special medical liquid that has a very tiny, safe amount of radioactive material in it. It is a "tracer." When a doctor puts it into a patient's body, it travels to a specific organ, like the heart or brain. A special camera can then "see" the tracer and take pictures of how the organ is working. This lets doctors see problems like cancer, blockages in blood vessels, or other diseases very, very early. Finding a problem early often makes it much easier to treat.
Nuclear technology offers powerful cancer-fighting tools. Radiotherapy uses focused radiation beams to destroy tumors non-invasively. Alternatively, brachytherapy delivers radiation directly to the tumor via tiny radioactive seeds, offering a precise internal treatment.
Making surgeries safer and tools germ-free
Lasers in medicine and industry are an amazing application of nuclear technology. Precise surgical lasers, used for delicate operations on the eyes, skin, and brain due to their accuracy, are often made and tested using nuclear technology. Additionally, nuclear technology ensures the sterility of medical tools, preventing the spread of infection in hospitals.
Growing more food: Nuclear technology in farming
Nuclear technology is also a great help to farmers. It helps them grow more food, protect their crops, and use water better.
Beating pests without too many chemicals
A significant challenge for farmers is dealing with insects that damage crops. Traditionally, they rely on chemical pesticides to eliminate these pests. However, these chemicals can be harmful to the soil, water, and our health.
Nuclear science presents a smarter solution. Scientists can raise millions of male insects in a lab and use a small amount of radiation to make them sterile, meaning they cannot reproduce. These sterile males are then released into the fields. When they mate with wild females, no offspring are produced. Over time, this greatly reduces the pest population. This method, known as the Sterile Insect Technique, is safe for the environment.
Creating better crops
Scientists can also use radiation to improve plants. By exposing seeds of crops like wheat or rice to small amounts of radiation, they can develop new, stronger varieties.
These improved plants can better resist diseases, endure droughts, and grow in salty soil. This allows farmers to produce more food on the same amount of land, which is vital for feeding the population.
Saving water and keeping food fresh
Nuclear power offers key solutions for water and food security. It can power large-scale desalination plants, assist in locating underground water sources and detecting dam leaks, and extend the shelf life of food through irradiation, reducing waste and improving food distribution.
Nuclear technology offers modern society stable electricity, life-saving medical treatments, and enhanced agricultural practices. Iran's commitment to harnessing these peaceful applications is a prudent and vital step toward a more independent, healthier, and prosperous future for our nation.
