Boron — why it isn’t such a bore-off
The neuron absorber that controls nuclear power plants
If you have ever seen Wreck-It Ralph, you will have seen that the characters in the computer game, Hero’s Duty, are attacked in huge numbers by Cy-Bugs. However, when the game is over, the beacon is activated, which attracts the Cy-Bugs and stops them from attacking and moving towards the beacon.
If you think of Boron as the Beacon and the Cy-Bugs as the Neutrons — Boron can be used as a fantastic absorber of neutrons to stop or slow down the reaction (Cy-Bugs attacking nuclear fuel) in a nuclear power plant.
What is Boron
Boron is a chemical element with the symbol B and atomic number 5. It is a metalloid, meaning it has properties of both metals and nonmetals.
Boron is widely used in the production of ceramics, glass, and fertilizers, as well as in nuclear power plants and high-tech applications such as semiconductors and optical fibres.
This article will explore Boron’s key takeaways, understanding, sources, and uses.
Key Takeaways:
- Boron is a metalloid element with the symbol B and atomic number 5.
