International cooperation on nuclear energy has grown through a declaration by China and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency that foresees a range of areas for joint work.

An underwater robot developed by Areva that can be maneuvered through a reactor's primary system has been used at a US nuclear power plant for the first time.

Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Energy (B&W NE) is to work with nuclear technology company Lightbridge in developing a pilot plant for manufacturing metal fuel for light water reactors.

Belgium's SCK-CEN has awarded a €24 million ($32 million) contract for front-end engineering design for the Myrrha accelerator-driven research reactor to a multinational consortium led by Areva.

A hand-held laser for use in the dismantling of metallic infrastructures during the decommissioning of nuclear facilities has been developed by the UK's TWI.

Research teams at two US national laboratories have found that irradiated carbon-coated Triso fuel particles are even more resistant to extreme temperatures than previously thought, offering potential benefits for reactor safety.

Russia and the USA have agreed to cooperate on a range of nuclear-related research areas such as safeguards, security, fast reactors - and "defence from asteroids."

The UK has opened a new £20 million ($31 million) facility that aims to deliver world-leading nuclear research and transfer that knowledge to industry.

Russia is funding a new technology centre in Vietnam and cooperating with an Argentine university, helping develop the skills needed for nuclear programs in those countries. Meanwhile, Rosatom claims more than 15,000 jobs could be created if South Africa proceeds with its nuclear energy expansion plans.

A novel consortium has announced participation in the American funding contest for new small reactor designs. Proposing a high-temperature helium cooled reactor, the group features strong support from the state of New York.

A new virtual control room at the Idaho National Laboratory will help utilities convert old nuclear power plant control rooms running on analogue systems to digital ones.

Japan has established a new research body which it hopes will bring together international experience in the decommissioning of nuclear power plants. Plans call for the institute to set up a research facility near the damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant.