Personal Nuclear Power

[ylexot]

A new type of battery based on the radioactive decay of nuclear material is 10 times more powerful than similar prototypes and should last a decade or more without a charge, scientists announced this week.

You might also find these nuclear batteries running sensors and other small devices in your home in a few years. Such devices "don't consume much power," said University of Rochester electrical engineer Philippe Fauchet, "and yet having to replace the battery every so often is a real pain in the neck."

Cool. When can I get one for the smoke detectors?

 

[Railroad]

A new type of battery based on the radioactive decay of nuclear material is 10 times more powerful than similar prototypes and should last a decade or more without a charge, scientists announced this week. Cool. When can I get one for the smoke detectors?

Interesting question, and interesting application! Smoke and CO detectors use a radiation source as part of the detector. That plus a nuclear power source....h'mmmmmm..... food for thought!

 

[jazz lady]

I was reading this article last night and found it fascinating.

Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen. Mixed with chemicals that emit light, it is used to illuminate exit signs without electricity -- the sort commonly found in schools and other public buildings.


"It is safe and can be implanted in the body," Fauchet said. "The energetic particles emitted by tritium do not penetrate inside the skin."

It sounds like it can be a win-win situation - long life batteries while using up some of the nuclear waste.