Dear Ms. Chatham,
I write to intimate you of my proposed topic for my research work. I am Hamid Rashid Araghi studying Petroleum Engineering and in my [XXX] level of study. My focus of research is on the generation of energy for sustainable development especially against the backdrop of the global climate change and the recent resolution by nations to reduce the global emissions of green house gases which contribute to the depletion of the atmospheric ozone layer. This topic is important as it explores the alternatives to power generation asides the use of fossil fuels, particularly the use of renewable energy sources.
Since it was first developed in the 1940s to produce bombs by splitting the atoms of either Uranium or plutonium, its use has been extended to peaceful uses asides the production of bombs. According to the World Nuclear Association (2016), use of nuclear power for electricity generation in the world today accounts for up to 11.5% of the global needs of electricity. The technology involved in the use of nuclear power for electricity generation entails releasing nuclear energy to generate heat (using nuclear reactions) that is then used in driving steam turbines for electricity generation. The nuclear fission process that generates the heat occurs when an atom (which is the smallest particle of matter) splits into two, releasing energy and radiation in the process. Radioactive elements such as Uranium and Plutonium are involved in the process of nuclear fission. Uranium for instance has variants of the element, known as isotopes. The Uranium isotope used for nuclear energy generation is Uranium 235 (U-235). A nuclear power plant has the nuclear reactor as the center point of the components of the power plant. The core of the reactor consists of Uranium pellets arranged into long rods and collected together as bundles. These bundles are submerged in water to cool them as a result of the enormous heat generated. Control rods that are made of neutron-absorbing are also inserted into the bundles and can be raised to control the nuclear reaction rate. These control rods are used to reduce or increase the amount of heat generated by the Uranium bundle. The steam generated from the reactor is then used to turn the turbine that generates the electricity.
The use of nuclear power for electricity generation in the world today stands at a mere 11% of the total electricity demand of the world. This figure is too low considering the potentials inherent in its use especially as a green source of energy among other benefits. I wish to conduct a research that explores the factors that affect the use of nuclear technology for electricity generation. This I expect will provide insights into what things are needed to be done in order to increase the use of the technology for electricity generation.
I sincerely thank you for taking the time to read through my proposal and for your consideration of the project. I will be willing to provide you with more information as you require. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would require any further information or clarification from me with respect to this proposal. You can reach me through my mobile [01-XXX-XXXX] or by email at [] and I will gladly reply your mail within the shortest time possible.
References:
World Nuclear Association (2016). Nuclear Power in the World Today. Accessed on 8 March, 2016 from http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/nuclear-power-in-the-world-today.aspx
Sincerely,
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