抄録
Energy crisis has been the most vital problem for all over the world. Atomic energy is expected to be one of the most hopeful solutions for the present energy crisis.
This article describes the features of atomic energy and includes world history and present status of 1) power reactors which are light water reactor, gas cooled reactor, heavy water reactor and fast breeder reactor. 2) commercial nuclear power plants of which 124 power plants are in operation as of the end of 1972. 3) multipurpose uses of atomic energy which contains some examples such as atomic energy uses to chemical process heat, breeding of fishes and prawn, district heating, desalination, steel making and hydrogen energy utilizing system. 4) controlled thermonuclear fusion which is expected to be an ultimate energy source for mankind. 5) future trend of the development of atomic energy ; the way to the controlled thermo nuclear fusion reactor.
