Other uses for nuclear material

[Woodmn]

So while everyone is debating over how a reactor should be implemented, many consisting of some form of refined fuel in and steam/power + radioactive waste out. So I was wondering what ways could this mechanic be used for something other than massive nuclear power?

Secondary power generation using nuclear waste
One idea that could be an interesting use for nuclear waste would be more efficient nuclear power/larger nuclear power generation by using the spent fuel as either a pre-heater or secondary stem generation ( http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2012/ph241/tilghman1/). While admittedly the risks could be high, it could be a more interesting use for the waste over having massive storage or refining processes. Or waste could be directly input to molten salt reactors (http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/1879 ... tive-waste). Yes the source isnt the best but considering its getting funding and aims to directly combat nuclear waste, it could be good later in the game when waste has begun to build up should waste processing be a late game research.

Mini power plants
Another way that I think it could be implemented would be by allowing the spent fuel to be used in secondary reactors that could, for instance, power outposts without relying on power infrastructure to send power over long distances (something along the lines of these https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_f ... er_station). While it would only produce a small quantity of power (for instance a building the size of an accumulator with the power output of a solar panel but 24/7), it would be compact and a way of dealing with waste without storage.

Train based power
Another interesting way would be to change the 'diesel locomotives' to just locomotives and, through the implementation of tanker cars, allow them use liquid fuels. However a nuclear power car could also be available. This car could produce power on board the train to power both the locomotive, and possibly secondary cars such as a laser artillery car (upgrade on artillery wagon) that would leach power from the on board reactor. This reactor could either just require fuel in either the form of nuclear fuel or nuclear waste. Or also require water that could be stored either in the reactor or in a separate car.
Yes, to have 1 train powered by nuclear power alone and traveling at the maximum speed, it could require several locomotives, but it would be long term, coal/petroleum free power that could grant trains defensive powers. Meaning that a train with long range artillery powered by the on board reactors could patrols walls, annihilating nearby biter nests that are out of range of your walls.
Well that went off on a tangent...

Nuclear Medicine
Another possible use could be in nuclear medicine, allowing the building of small research reactor such as the OPAL research reactor (http://www.ansto.gov.au/). This nuclear medicine would shield against radiation damage but must either be manually used or through the use of a power armor module, automatically. It could also buff your healing rate when you get damaged while providing a slight heal. The reactor could also be required for later nuclear research or more efficient ways of running plants (like how advanced oil processing effects a refinery).

Nuclear based weaponry/defensive structures
Yes this is a popular topic in the FF discussion, but I digress.
Somebody put forward that depleted uranium is produced from the refining of nuclear fuel, and could be produced through the refining process (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depleted_uranium). This could then he used for several applications, such as upgraded reactor plating, decreasing pollution output significantly, further upgrades on the piercing rounds capable of piercing everything but the heaviest of Armour. Or even armor plating for walls or in vehicles such as tanks (though I believe that it should be limited to tanks or walls so as to keep tanks viable in the late game as currently they seem kind of weak), making them very immune to native attacks. Something that could be useful to come out of the armor could be 'bull bars'/'cow catchers' for cars and trains. These would have a slot in the vehicle and would absorb most of the damage of a crash/running into natives. Iron would give slight damage reduction and have a relatively low health. Steel would mostly protect you from trees but rocks would still damage the vehicle and have good health. Depleted uranium would allow you to crash through everything but walls or other strong defensive structures making cars more dangerous near factories but capable of crossing wilderness without regular repairs or slow driving.

Alternative nuclear weaponry
While there are the obvious nuclear weaponry, one alternative could be upgraded poison capsules, possibly with the ability to slowly move towards biter nest. This would be produced using either plutonium or some form of refined fuel, resulting in a capsule with an effect akin to the 'demon core' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon_core). Possibly with the ability to reuse it multiple times, activating it to deal massive damage. For instance, it could follow you, but using a drone controller (additional item), you could select a base/ area and the 'demon core' would fly over and begin irradiating everything living in selected area, producing large amounts of pollution while it is at it. However if it damages a biter base but doesn't kill it, it has a chance of spawning 'mutated' biters/spitters. With increased health and damage while applying an effect similar to radiation poisoning (combated by nuclear medicine) to you.

Sorry for the wall of text, personally I can see great potential in this mechanic and it seems like many are ignoring its uses outside of direct power and nuclear weaponry.