Glossary

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Click on the alphabetic index to display terms beginning with the corresponding letter or search for a term below.

Megawatt (MW)

A unit of power, = 106 watts. MWe refers to electric output from a generator, MWt to thermal output from a reactor or heat source (eg the gross heat output of a reactor itself, typically around three times the MWe figure).

Metal fuels

Fuels using natural uranium metal, as used in a gas-cooled reactor.

Micro

one millionth of a unit (eg microsievert is 10-6 Sv).

Mixed oxide fuel (MOX)

Reactor fuel which consists of both uranium and plutonium oxides, usually about 5% Pu, which is the main fissile component.

Moderator

A material such as light or heavy water or graphite used in a reactor to slow down fast neutrons by collision with lighter nuclei so as to expedite further fission.