Reactor Poisons
Any element that strongly absorbs neutrons is called a reactor poison, because it tends to shut down (poison) an ongoing fission chain reaction. Some reactor poisons are deliberately inserted into fission reactor cores to control the reaction; boron or cadmium control rods are the best example. Many reactor poisons are produced by the fission process itself, and buildup of neutron-absorbing fission products affects both the fuel economics and the controllability of nuclear reactors.
Read more about this topic: Nuclear Reactor Physics
Famous quotes containing the word poisons:
“The internal effects of a mutable policy ... poisons the blessings of liberty itself.”
—James Madison (17511836)