By Matej Mavriček, Policy Fellow

Proliferation is but the spread of something – a technology or an idea, across a geographical area. We often use the term when the “something” in question is undesirable, viewed as dangerous or infectious. So it seems only fitting that the spread of nuclear technology would be called proliferation.This article is intended as a historical background for the field of nuclear proliferation.

Continue reading “Uranium, Plutonium & Cake: A Brief History of Proliferation”

By Matej Mavriček, Policy Fellow

Radiation is essentially various shrapnel that is released when an atom or atoms undergoes decay, fusion or fission. In this article, I will discuss the basics of radiation, types of danger of radiation, where it comes from, and a framework of risk with radiation. This is meant to inform some of the possible effects of radiation as a result of nuclear accidents or purposeful detonations.

Continue reading “Radiation: From A(toms) to S(ieverts)”

By Matej Mavricek, Policy Fellow

Cybersecurity today is as much a part of our lives as health care, and in more than one way resembles immunization efforts. Our information is as much in danger from a variety of threats as our bodies are in danger from a variety of pathogens, and the response to both is similar: awareness, prevention, and, if necessary, treatment. Much like immunization, the more people use security measures properly and diligently, the less danger there is to the population as a whole. Continue reading “Cybersecurity – Critically Underprovided”

By Matej Mavriček, Policy Fellow

On October 13, the EPA issued a statement permitting the increase of the ethanol blend wall from 10% to 15%, instituting a new fuel in the US market, the E15 (85% gasoline, 15% ethanol mix). The fuel is only approved for cars, light-duty trucks and medium-size passenger vehicles manufactured in 2007 and later. Continue reading “The Trouble With Blending”