Canadian pilot uses massive clay blocks to seal nuclear waste tunnels
In Oakville, Canada, a driverless forklift moves 8-ton clay blocks into a rock tunnel, where a custom machine packs surrounding voids with crushed clay to contain nuclear waste.
A remote-controlled forklift stationed in an Oakville warehouse transports huge 8,000-kilogram clay blocks into a narrow underground tunnel. Once positioned, a purpose-built device fills the gaps around each block with broken clay, creating a sealed barrier for nuclear waste storage. The operation is part of a broader effort to overcome the disposal challenges facing nuclear power. The article appears in a Nature Outlook supplement supported financially by Oklo Inc., though editorial independence is maintained.
Why it matters
Effective nuclear waste sealing is crucial for the long-term safety and public acceptance of nuclear energy.
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