Everyone knows that if you are an evil mastermind hell bent on global domination, the first thing you do is build a nuclear power plant. If you are a Bond villain you will even go that extra mile of wiring it all into a volcano.

Now it seems that the Software King of the World Sir William Gates III wants to build nuclear power plants, so we guess a “mini me” and covering your secretary in gold paint is the next stage.

Gates has recruited laptop maker Toshiba to be his next Odd-job and will be develop a compact next-generation reactor that can operate for up to 100 years without refuelling to provide emission-free energy.

The idea is to create a Traveling-Wave Reactor (TWR), which consumes depleted uranium as fuel. Current light-water reactors require refueling every few years. Unlike the current reactors at mega power plants, the smaller types could be introduced by cities or states or in developing countries more easily. (Uranium and developing countries don't sound like a good match. sub.ed.)

Gates is expected to use his personal wealth to back the development of TWRs and his investment could reach several billion dollars. Of course it could be more if the government pays him several billion dollars not to use his solar ray gun to destroy Kansas and three other locations within 24 hours.