Charles Piani

Piani is a consultant who has spent more than 45 years in science and nuclear engineering. From 1993 to 1998, he was senior manager of South Africa's SAFARI-1 research reactor; there, he was involved in converting the reactor to low-enriched uranium, both for fuel and for targets in the production of molybdenum 99. Currently, through the International Atomic Energy Agency, he helps nations engage in strategic planning for the utilization of research reactors and assists nuclear newcomers in adopting strategies for nuclear power programs. He received a PhD in material science from the University of South Africa in 1981.

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Articles by Charles Piani

Development and Disarmament Roundtable
7 March 2013
AfricaAsiaEurope/Russia

Eating the elephant

Charles Piani

In my part of Africa, when people are faced with a large, daunting problem, someone often asks, "How do we eat this elephant?" The typical response is: "Piece by piece!" Minimizing the use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) can be seen as an elephant that, indeed, can only be eaten piece by piece.

Development and Disarmament Roundtable
14 February 2013
AfricaAmericasAsia

Better to control than eliminate?

Charles Piani

My colleagues, in their first-round essays, described quite different experiences of converting research reactors, or attempting to convert them, to low-enriched uranium (LEU) from highly enriched uranium (HEU).

Development and Disarmament Roundtable
5 February 2013

Highly enriched uranium: Less is more

Charles PianiPablo CristiniAlexandr Vurim

A number of high-profile initiatives seek to reduce the possibility of nuclear proliferation and terrorism by minimizing the use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) in civilian applications.

Development and Disarmament Roundtable
5 February 2013

Minimizing danger, maximizing headaches

Charles Piani

Controlling access to fissile material is among the most important measures that can be taken to prevent nuclear weapons proliferation, and it is widely recognized that highly enriched uranium (HEU) poses proliferation threats whether it is used in