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Nuclear Battery That Runs 10 Years

Posted by Zonk on from the never-have-to-recharge-your-ipod dept.

Jenny writes "A battery with a lifespan measured in decades is in development at the University of Rochester, as scientists demonstrate a new fabrication method that in its roughest form is already 10 times more efficient than current nuclear batteries -- and has the potential to be nearly 200 times more efficient. Similar to the way solar panels work by catching photons from the sun and turning them into current, the science of betavoltaics uses silicon to capture electrons emitted from a radioactive gas, such as tritium, to form a current. As the electrons strike a special pair of layers called a 'p-n junction,' a current results. I can imagine lots of applications for this new battery including my own laptop."

5 of 689 comments (clear)

  1. Boom! by XenoPhage · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Ok, so if the iPod explodes as-is with the current battery, what happens with a nuclear cell...

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    XenoPhage
    Technological Musings
  2. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  3. hmmm by justforaday · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Sounds good. Just don't let that kid in Australia anywhere near one...

    --
    I'll turn into a supernova and burn up everything. Well I'll turn into a black little hole and you'll turn into string.
  4. Re:Non-lethal exposure by lbmouse · · Score: 0, Redundant

    "The low-energy beta radiation from tritium cannot penetrate human skin, so tritium is only dangerous if inhaled or ingested."

    Still, if this battery is powering your laptop, would you use the computer on your lap? I really don't want to take any chances in THAT area.

  5. If I put this in my laptop... by PenguinBoyDave · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I'd be REALLY friggin' concerned about putting this in my lap!

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    I'm not a troll, but I play one on Slashdot.