Ångström

After a sumptuous breakfast at Elite Academia, William and I walked up to the Ångström Laboratory, where Mattias was waiting to show us around. With his eyes wide open in wonder, William got to change background radiation detection filters on the roof and measure radioactivity in the lab, in addition to receiving a crash course in nuclear physics – all in two intense hours.

Later, over lunch, I had a chance to talk to Mattias a bit about the factors that are holding back a rapid nuclear buildout in response to climate change and the possibilities of using waste heat from nuclear reactors for direct air capture of carbon dioxide. For me, as a social scientist, it is invaluable to be able to ask questions to someone who understands not only the underlying physics but also has extensive experience in the nuclear industry. Now, on the train back to Gothenburg, we could not have hoped for a better visit – or trip overall, for that matter.