How Scientific Chance and a Little Luck Helped Usher in the Nuclear Age

[Marlin]

How Scientific Chance and a Little Luck Helped Usher in the Nuclear Age


https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/enrico-fermi-scientific-chance-luck-nuclear-age-180971249/

[Hobber]

link doesn't work

[Marlin]

link doesn't work

Should work now, sorry about that.

[hamsamich]

Fermi looks like Monk a little bit....nice.

[Chimera]

"The graphite bricks that formed the structure of the first atomic pile served as a moderator to slow down the neutrons emitted from the uranium slugs embedded throughout the pile, enhancing the probability of fission. Not only are all nuclear reactors based on this effect;"
Read more: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/enrico-fermi-scientific-chance-luck-nuclear-age-180971249/#hyw8Ol9MFEm16B3d.99

I question this statement from the referenced article.  I realize my experience as a reactor operator is somewhat limited but I don't think it applies to a liquid metal fast fission plant.  I will defer to those with more operational experience than I.