Opportunity for Pioneering Technological Advancements in Nuclear Sector
Revamped Rant
Hey there! Let me fill you in on the lowdown about Kazakhstan's nuclear adventures, as told by Kanat Baigarin, the Sustainable Development Chief over at Nazarbayev University. Seems like the President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, isn't just a fan of science flicks, but he's actually pushing for the nuclear industry to be a key player in Kazakhstan's development.
Now, you gotta understand, Kazakhstan's been hankering to move beyond its raw material reliance for a hot minute. Building a nuclear power plant and developing nuclear energy is their ticket to a high-tech, intellectually vibrant industry, sweetening the deal with some speedy science and engineering growth.
Historically, the global leaders of this field – the US, Russia, Euro-land, China, and Korea – have followed a similar path. But, building a nuclear power plant now comes with some external challenges that need addressing if it's gonna run smoothly, like they learned the hard way.
Kazakhstan's had a bit of nuclear history itself: good times, bad times, and everything in between. Thanks to their past, they've got some infrastructure and tech know-how for this sector, like the National Nuclear Center in Kurchatov and the Mangystau Nuclear Power Plant Complex in Aktau, as well as the Institute of Nuclear Physics. However, most of the scientific foundation for the nuclear industry still lies beyond Kazakhstan's borders.
The plus side is that fundamental research in space, high-energy physics, astrophysics, and computation and applied mathematics remains top-notch worldwide, and that knowledge is available to all those diving into these areas. These research fields depend on cutting-edge achievements in math and comp sci tools, like AI, big data processing, and machine learning.
Building and running a nuclear power plant requires a crazy amount of expertise in-house. To keep pursuing scientific and engineering R&D, Kazakhstan needs its own qualified expertise to assess the tech they'll use in their economy.
Nuclear power plants don't spit out much CO2 when they churn out energy, and the worldwide community recognizes that, at this point, nuclear energy is a must-have for ensuring sustainable human development. The price tag doesn't come first when selecting a tech provider for running a nuclear power plant. Instead, they gotta deeply understand how compatible their scientific, technical, and human resources are with these new technologies.
Anyone using mobile phones, fridges, or tellys knows how to operate them, but only a handful of people can really fix 'em or grasp their underlying physics. It's those folks we call experts. In the global market of nations that produce nuclear power plants, Kazakhstan might partake more as a consumer than a designer. But, truly understanding the physics behind these plants and keeping their safety under control is essential.
Kazakhstan still has a bit of time to get its act together before jumping into building a nuclear power plant: to beef up their national expertise, create a new generation of qualified personnel, and establish scientific schools.
A nuclear power plant ain't just a nuclear steam engine operated by trained specialists – it's also a complex automated system with artificial intelligence, big data, and machine learning components. The big question is: How well can Kazakhstan adapt their control systems, automation, software, and AI aspects to this elaborate engineering and technical facility? How can they ensure complete control and oversight of the plant to operate it safely and free of harm?
Nuclear power plants demand a high degree of industrial and scientific sophistication, as well as a highly skilled workforce. But, without the full development of fundamental science, Kazakhstan risks compromising the stability of their whole economic system.
Just like when the Chernobyl disaster happened, experts from various fields, even those engaged in fundamental research, were needed to help out. Back then, our very own team from the lab developed instruments for remote localization of radioactive emissions at the plant and in surrounding areas. This wasn't nuclear science or technology-related data; it was our experience with fundamental research that enabled us to create instruments for visualizing radioactive sources remotely and measuring high radiation doses at a distance. That saved lives and protected the health of those involved in the disaster response.
Experiences like this underline the importance of fundamental scientific research, particularly in the context of international cooperation in fields like space and nuclear physics – research that often delivers unexpected, ingenious solutions to complex practical problems.
Only on the foundation of fundamental research – in nuclear science, space research, and materials science – can profound high-tech innovations emerge, driving the development of the industry and the country as a whole.
Kazakhstan needs to systematically and consistently invest in fundamental science research over the long haul. A true scientist and researcher creates a school of thought that fosters collaboration with the world's brightest minds and nurtures the next generation of students – even if only a few become stellar scientists, the rest will be strong professionals with a deep understanding of physics. And, some of them might find their calling in practical, applied research.
Today, they’re talking about creating a joint research center at the university that brings together scientists from various fields to provide a high level of expertise for the new industry, benefiting from fundamental knowledge and applied research in the fields of nuclear and space science and engineering.
Now, in a world undergoing yet another transformation, the era of universal globalization is giving way to a period of self-serving pragmatism focused on protecting national interests and maintaining societal stability.
Kanat Baigarin, he's the Chief Officer for Sustainable Development at Nazarbayev University.
- Nuclear innovations, driven by Kazakhstan's push for scientific and engineering growth, are being spearheaded by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who aims to make the nuclear industry a key player in Kazakhstan's development.
- Although Kazakhstan possesses infrastructure and tech know-how for the nuclear sector, a large portion of the scientific foundation for the industry still lies beyond its borders.
- Building and running a nuclear power plant requires a high level of in-house expertise, and for Kazakhstan to continue pursuing scientific and engineering R&D, it needs its own pool of qualified experts.
- The emergence of profound high-tech innovations depends on systematic and consistent investment in fundamental science research, which fosters collaboration with the world's brightest minds and nurtures the next generation of scientists and professionals.
- In the geopolitical climate of self-serving pragmatism, Kazakhstan's establishment of a joint research center at Nazarbayev University, focusing on nuclear and space science and engineering, aims to provide a high level of expertise for the new industry, benefiting from fundamental knowledge and applied research.
