Nuclear Energy
An Introduction to the Concepts, Systems, and Applications of Nuclear Processes
- 9th Edition - February 26, 2026
- Latest edition
- Authors: Raymond L. Murray, Keith E. Holbert
- Language: English
Nuclear Energy: An Introduction to the Concepts, Systems, and Applications of Nuclear Processes, Ninth Edition provides essential information on basic nuclear physics, system… Read more
Nuclear Energy: An Introduction to the Concepts, Systems, and Applications of Nuclear Processes, Ninth Edition provides essential information on basic nuclear physics, systems, and the applications of nuclear energy. It comprehensively covers Basic Concepts, Radiation and Its Uses, and Nuclear Power, providing students with a broad view of nuclear energy and science in a fast-paced format that features updated, timely content on topics of new and growing importance to current and future nuclear professionals, such small modular reactors (SMRs). This book is an essential resource for any first course on nuclear energy and systems.
- Contains expanded coverage of newer reactor designs, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), molten salt-fueled and salt-cooled reactors, microreactors, and accelerator-driven subcritical (ADS) reactors
- Climate change content from previous editions has been updated and incorporated throughout the book to reflect its growing importance
- Provides a new chapter on Nonproliferation, Security, and Safeguards
- Includes more worked examples and end of chapter exercises throughout
Mechanical, nuclear, chemical and materials engineering undergraduates, Working engineers in mechanical, nuclear and materials fields, professionals in power-generation, medical diagnostics, and radiology industries
Part I: Basic Concepts
1. Energy
2. Atoms and Nuclei
3. Radioactivity
4. Nuclear Processes
5. Radiation and Materials
6. Fission
7. Fusion
Part II: Radiation and Its Uses
8. The History of Nuclear Energy
9. Particle Accelerators
10. Biological Effects of Radiation
11. Radiation Protection
12. Radiation Detectors
13. Information From Isotopes
14. Useful Radiation Effects
Part III: Nuclear Power
15. Isotope Separators
16. Neutron Chain Reactions
17. Nuclear Heat Energy
18. Nuclear Power Plants
19. Reactor Theory Introduction
20. Time Dependent Reactor Behavior
21. Reactor Safety and Security
22. Nuclear Propulsion and Remote Power
23. Radioactive Waste Disposal
24. Nuclear Energy Future
25. Breeder Reactors
26. Fusion Reactors
27. Nuclear Weapons
28. Nuclear Nonproliferation
1. Energy
2. Atoms and Nuclei
3. Radioactivity
4. Nuclear Processes
5. Radiation and Materials
6. Fission
7. Fusion
Part II: Radiation and Its Uses
8. The History of Nuclear Energy
9. Particle Accelerators
10. Biological Effects of Radiation
11. Radiation Protection
12. Radiation Detectors
13. Information From Isotopes
14. Useful Radiation Effects
Part III: Nuclear Power
15. Isotope Separators
16. Neutron Chain Reactions
17. Nuclear Heat Energy
18. Nuclear Power Plants
19. Reactor Theory Introduction
20. Time Dependent Reactor Behavior
21. Reactor Safety and Security
22. Nuclear Propulsion and Remote Power
23. Radioactive Waste Disposal
24. Nuclear Energy Future
25. Breeder Reactors
26. Fusion Reactors
27. Nuclear Weapons
28. Nuclear Nonproliferation
- Edition: 9
- Latest edition
- Published: February 26, 2026
- Language: English
RM
Raymond L. Murray
Nuclear Engineering Department, North Carolina State University, USA (deceased)
Affiliations and expertise
Formerly Nuclear Engineering Department, North Carolina State University, USAKH
Keith E. Holbert
Keith Holbert is the founding director of the nuclear power generation program and an associate professor in the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering at Arizona State University. He joined the ASU faculty in 1989 after earning his doctorate in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee. His research expertise is in instrumentation and system diagnostics including radiation effects on sensors. Holbert has performed tests on safety-related systems in more than a dozen nuclear power plants in the United States. He has published more than 200 journal and conference papers, two textbooks and holds one patent. Holbert is a registered professional (nuclear) engineer. He is a member of the American Nuclear Society and a Senior Member of the IEEE. Holbert teaches undergraduate and graduate engineering courses on electric power generation (from all forms of energy), nuclear reactor theory and design, nuclear power plant controls and diagnostics, reactor safety analysis, and health physics and radiation measurements. He has been the recipient of multiple teaching awards.
Affiliations and expertise
Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University; Senior Member, IEEE; registered Professional (nuclear) Engineer, USA