Physicists have long held the view that the rate of breakdown - or decay - for any given radioactive substance is constant.

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But if physicists at Stanford and Purdue are correct in their findings, the whole theory of constant radioactive decay rates could be thrown out the door.

FORBES: Radioactive Decay Rates May Not Be Constant After All

The enormous heat generated by the radioactive fuel in the reactor core needs a constant flow of cold water.

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The team of physicists was investigating the possibility of using radioactive decay rates to generate random numbers, since the rate is constant but the emission of individual atoms is unpredictable, it seemed like a perfect fit.

FORBES: Radioactive Decay Rates May Not Be Constant After All

Solid-fuel reactors are atomic pressure cookers, with the constant danger of high-pressure ruptures, meltdowns, and the forceful ejection of radioactive material into the environment.

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