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China Tests Safety System for a ‘Meltdown-Proof’ Nuclear Reactor

China Tests Safety System for a ‘Meltdown-Proof’ Nuclear Reactor

China’s ambitious plan to dramatically pull back from fossil fuels is perhaps most evident in the explosive growth of its nuclear energy program. The latest news suggests China may be tantalizingly close to bringing self-cooling reactors to practical use—a development with profound safety implications.

In a statement earlier this week, the China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE) announced that it had recently concluded tests for a residual heat removal system for integral fast reactors (IFRs). The statement did not specify a date but noted that the breakthrough would effectively make China’s radioactive waste-recycling power plants meltdown-proof.

Specifically, the new technique prevents the reactor core from overheating through a mechanism that naturally cycles the coolant to dissipate unwanted, leftover heat.

“Removing residual heat from the reactor core is inherently critical to the safety of the reactor,” explained the CIAE. “This is the first proof-of-principle test in China for a new passive residual heat removal technology for [integral] fast reactors.”

The merits of a self-cooling fast reactor

To be clear, this is a separate result from a 2024 experiment that successfully tested a self-cooling, high-temperature reactor using a pebble-bed module. The new result is the proof-of-principle test for a self-cooling mechanism implemented into an IFR, which uses high-energy “fast” neutrons to cause and maintain fission chain reactions.

Unlike conventional reactors cooled by water, IFR coolants are often liquid metals, such as sodium or lead. Overall, this scheme enables IFRs to extract 100 times more energy than conventional reactors with a higher fuel efficiency. IFRs often operate on a closed-loop fuel cycle, meaning spent fuel can be recycled, which the Department of Energy explains could reduce nuclear waste by up to 90%.

The first concept and deployment of an IFR began at Argonne National Laboratory in the U.S., although the project was later canceled. As of now, the United States does not have a commercially active IFR.

China, on the other hand, expressed strong interest in expanding the use of IFRs in its nuclear energy program during a presentation to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Hot topic, cool implications

For the new result, researchers first simulated how their mechanism would unfold inside an actual reactor. Based on those simulations, they developed a test facility for “understanding the operating principles of the novel passive residual heat removal system for integral fast reactors,” according to the CIAE.

This technology has already been incorporated into the design of the CFR-1000, China’s next-generation gigawatt-level fast reactor, the agency said, adding, “Effectively implementing and verifying natural circulation in fast reactors is currently a hot topic and a challenge internationally.”

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Starbucks is fully embracing AI, launching a beta app in ChatGPT this week that lets a chatbot choose your latte or refresher.

Users on ChatGPT can access the app by starting a prompt with “@Starbucks.” They can then describe the mood they’re in or want to be in — energetic, cozy, etc. — or simply ask the AI to pick something that matches their tastes, like non-dairy drinks or less caffeinated beverages.

In the announcement on Starbucks’ website, the coffee chain also suggested users upload a photo to ChatGPT that “captures your vibe,” and the AI will choose a drink to complement it.

Starbucks partners with ChatGPT, allowing AI to suggest drinks and arrange orders
                                                            Starbucks is fully embracing AI, launching a beta app in ChatGPT this week that lets a chatbot choose your latte or refresher.Users on ChatGPT can access the app by starting a prompt with “@Starbucks.” They can then describe the mood they’re in or want to be in — energetic, cozy, etc. — or simply ask the AI to pick something that matches their tastes, like non-dairy drinks or less caffeinated beverages. In the announcement on Starbucks’ website, the coffee chain also suggested users upload a photo to ChatGPT that “captures your vibe,” and the AI will choose a drink to complement it.
        
            Mashable Trend Report
        
        
    


    
                    


            
            
            
            Credit: Starbucks
        
    
Some of the prompts suggested by Starbucks include “@Starbucks, I want something bright to start my morning,” and “@Starbucks, I’m craving an afternoon boost that isn’t too sweet.”After choosing a drink and a store to retrieve it, users will be directed to the Starbucks app or Starbucks.com to pay and complete the order.

        SEE ALSO:
        
            Florida man uses ChatGPT to sell his home. This is a real headline.
            
        
    
Starbucks considers the beta app in ChatGPT its newest way to encourage customers to try new beverages or, as they put it in their press release, “using AI to support something very human: helping you discover a drink you’ll love.”Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

                    
                                            
                            
    
        Topics
                    Artificial Intelligence
                    ChatGPT
            

                        
                                    #Starbucks #partners #ChatGPT #allowing #suggest #drinks #arrange #orders

Credit: Starbucks

Some of the prompts suggested by Starbucks include “@Starbucks, I want something bright to start my morning,” and “@Starbucks, I’m craving an afternoon boost that isn’t too sweet.”

After choosing a drink and a store to retrieve it, users will be directed to the Starbucks app or Starbucks.com to pay and complete the order.

Starbucks considers the beta app in ChatGPT its newest way to encourage customers to try new beverages or, as they put it in their press release, “using AI to support something very human: helping you discover a drink you’ll love.”


Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

#Starbucks #partners #ChatGPT #allowing #suggest #drinks #arrange #orders">Starbucks partners with ChatGPT, allowing AI to suggest drinks and arrange orders
                                                            Starbucks is fully embracing AI, launching a beta app in ChatGPT this week that lets a chatbot choose your latte or refresher.Users on ChatGPT can access the app by starting a prompt with “@Starbucks.” They can then describe the mood they’re in or want to be in — energetic, cozy, etc. — or simply ask the AI to pick something that matches their tastes, like non-dairy drinks or less caffeinated beverages. In the announcement on Starbucks’ website, the coffee chain also suggested users upload a photo to ChatGPT that “captures your vibe,” and the AI will choose a drink to complement it.
        
            Mashable Trend Report
        
        
    


    
                    


            
            
            
            Credit: Starbucks
        
    
Some of the prompts suggested by Starbucks include “@Starbucks, I want something bright to start my morning,” and “@Starbucks, I’m craving an afternoon boost that isn’t too sweet.”After choosing a drink and a store to retrieve it, users will be directed to the Starbucks app or Starbucks.com to pay and complete the order.

        SEE ALSO:
        
            Florida man uses ChatGPT to sell his home. This is a real headline.
            
        
    
Starbucks considers the beta app in ChatGPT its newest way to encourage customers to try new beverages or, as they put it in their press release, “using AI to support something very human: helping you discover a drink you’ll love.”Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

                    
                                            
                            
    
        Topics
                    Artificial Intelligence
                    ChatGPT
            

                        
                                    #Starbucks #partners #ChatGPT #allowing #suggest #drinks #arrange #orders

ChatGPT this week that lets a chatbot choose your latte or refresher.

Users on ChatGPT can access the app by starting a prompt with “@Starbucks.” They can then describe the mood they’re in or want to be in — energetic, cozy, etc. — or simply ask the AI to pick something that matches their tastes, like non-dairy drinks or less caffeinated beverages.

In the announcement on Starbucks’ website, the coffee chain also suggested users upload a photo to ChatGPT that “captures your vibe,” and the AI will choose a drink to complement it.

Starbucks partners with ChatGPT, allowing AI to suggest drinks and arrange orders
                                                            Starbucks is fully embracing AI, launching a beta app in ChatGPT this week that lets a chatbot choose your latte or refresher.Users on ChatGPT can access the app by starting a prompt with “@Starbucks.” They can then describe the mood they’re in or want to be in — energetic, cozy, etc. — or simply ask the AI to pick something that matches their tastes, like non-dairy drinks or less caffeinated beverages. In the announcement on Starbucks’ website, the coffee chain also suggested users upload a photo to ChatGPT that “captures your vibe,” and the AI will choose a drink to complement it.
        
            Mashable Trend Report
        
        
    


    
                    


            
            
            
            Credit: Starbucks
        
    
Some of the prompts suggested by Starbucks include “@Starbucks, I want something bright to start my morning,” and “@Starbucks, I’m craving an afternoon boost that isn’t too sweet.”After choosing a drink and a store to retrieve it, users will be directed to the Starbucks app or Starbucks.com to pay and complete the order.

        SEE ALSO:
        
            Florida man uses ChatGPT to sell his home. This is a real headline.
            
        
    
Starbucks considers the beta app in ChatGPT its newest way to encourage customers to try new beverages or, as they put it in their press release, “using AI to support something very human: helping you discover a drink you’ll love.”Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

                    
                                            
                            
    
        Topics
                    Artificial Intelligence
                    ChatGPT
            

                        
                                    #Starbucks #partners #ChatGPT #allowing #suggest #drinks #arrange #orders

Credit: Starbucks

Some of the prompts suggested by Starbucks include “@Starbucks, I want something bright to start my morning,” and “@Starbucks, I’m craving an afternoon boost that isn’t too sweet.”

After choosing a drink and a store to retrieve it, users will be directed to the Starbucks app or Starbucks.com to pay and complete the order.

Starbucks considers the beta app in ChatGPT its newest way to encourage customers to try new beverages or, as they put it in their press release, “using AI to support something very human: helping you discover a drink you’ll love.”


Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

#Starbucks #partners #ChatGPT #allowing #suggest #drinks #arrange #orders">Starbucks partners with ChatGPT, allowing AI to suggest drinks and arrange orders

Starbucks is fully embracing AI, launching a beta app in ChatGPT this week that lets a chatbot choose your latte or refresher.

Users on ChatGPT can access the app by starting a prompt with “@Starbucks.” They can then describe the mood they’re in or want to be in — energetic, cozy, etc. — or simply ask the AI to pick something that matches their tastes, like non-dairy drinks or less caffeinated beverages.

In the announcement on Starbucks’ website, the coffee chain also suggested users upload a photo to ChatGPT that “captures your vibe,” and the AI will choose a drink to complement it.

Starbucks partners with ChatGPT, allowing AI to suggest drinks and arrange orders
                                                            Starbucks is fully embracing AI, launching a beta app in ChatGPT this week that lets a chatbot choose your latte or refresher.Users on ChatGPT can access the app by starting a prompt with “@Starbucks.” They can then describe the mood they’re in or want to be in — energetic, cozy, etc. — or simply ask the AI to pick something that matches their tastes, like non-dairy drinks or less caffeinated beverages. In the announcement on Starbucks’ website, the coffee chain also suggested users upload a photo to ChatGPT that “captures your vibe,” and the AI will choose a drink to complement it.
        
            Mashable Trend Report
        
        
    


    
                    


            
            
            
            Credit: Starbucks
        
    
Some of the prompts suggested by Starbucks include “@Starbucks, I want something bright to start my morning,” and “@Starbucks, I’m craving an afternoon boost that isn’t too sweet.”After choosing a drink and a store to retrieve it, users will be directed to the Starbucks app or Starbucks.com to pay and complete the order.

        SEE ALSO:
        
            Florida man uses ChatGPT to sell his home. This is a real headline.
            
        
    
Starbucks considers the beta app in ChatGPT its newest way to encourage customers to try new beverages or, as they put it in their press release, “using AI to support something very human: helping you discover a drink you’ll love.”Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

                    
                                            
                            
    
        Topics
                    Artificial Intelligence
                    ChatGPT
            

                        
                                    #Starbucks #partners #ChatGPT #allowing #suggest #drinks #arrange #orders

Credit: Starbucks

Some of the prompts suggested by Starbucks include “@Starbucks, I want something bright to start my morning,” and “@Starbucks, I’m craving an afternoon boost that isn’t too sweet.”

After choosing a drink and a store to retrieve it, users will be directed to the Starbucks app or Starbucks.com to pay and complete the order.

Starbucks considers the beta app in ChatGPT its newest way to encourage customers to try new beverages or, as they put it in their press release, “using AI to support something very human: helping you discover a drink you’ll love.”


Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

#Starbucks #partners #ChatGPT #allowing #suggest #drinks #arrange #orders

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