Dec. 2 - China and Russia have signed the charter of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF), a group of nations swapping ideas for future nuclear reactors that would be more efficient and generate less waste and military-grade material.

 

Their induction brings the six-year-old organisation's roll call to 13, GIF said Friday.

 

In December 2002, the GIF published a "technology roadmap" for six design concepts for so-called fourth-generation nuclear reactors.

 

Most of the designs are based on fast-neutron reactors and in addition to generating electricity would also be capable of other functions, such as producing hydrogen and desalinating seawater.

 

The concepts are long-term. If adopted and tested, they would enter commercial use nearly a quarter-century from now.

 

The other members of GIF are Argentina, Brazil, Britain, Canada, the European Union's agency Euratom, France, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Switzerland and the United States.