Nuclear engineering is the branch of engineering concerned with the application of breaking down atomic nuclei, combining atomic nuclei, or with the application of other sub-atomic processes based on the principles of nuclear physics.
Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, instruments, and systems used for deriving benefits from nuclear energy and radiation. Many of these engineers find industrial and medical uses for radioactive materials—for example, in equipment used in medical diagnosis and treatment.
There are several other beneficial uses for nuclear technology in addition to creating electricity; these range from agriculture to medicine and space exploration to water desalination. In many parts of the world, agricultural workers use radiation to prevent harmful insects from reproducing.