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Material Converts Radiation Into Electricity

Posted by kdawson on from the don't-irradiate-me-bro dept.

holy_calamity writes "Nuclear powered space probes like Pioneer have 'nuclear batteries' that (very inefficiently) convert heat from decaying isotopes into electricity. US researchers think a new material that converts radiation directly into power instead could make nuclear batteries 20 times more efficient. (Unfortunately they will likely not be user-replaceable.) The material consists of gold, carbon nanotubes, and lithium hydride."

10 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. Carbon nanotubes by j00r0m4nc3r · · Score: 4, Funny

    Is there anything they CAN'T do?

    1. Re:Carbon nanotubes by Knuckles · · Score: 2, Funny

      Just a few things, but those are covered by Lithium, apparently.

      --
      "When I first heard Daydream Nation it quite frankly scared the living shit out of me." -- Matthew Stearns
  2. Why is it... by narrowhouse · · Score: 5, Funny

    that all these neat technologies depend on exotic materials? Just once I would like some really cool technology to be dependent on something cheaper and easy to obtain, while being ten times more efficient that the gold/lithium irradiated crystals it replaces.

    Today's news: hobo sweat and nail clippings mixed with Diet Coke and mentos == cold fusion.

    --


    Insert pithy comment here.
    1. Re:Why is it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      You think hobo sweat and nail clippings are easy to obtain? Trust me, chasing them and holding them down while you get the supplies is a lot more work than you expect. Unless we set up some sort of hobo farm, I don't see your plan being feasible.

    2. Re:Why is it... by wattrlz · · Score: 2, Funny

      Sure you would. What do you think we'd do with them after they'd been harvested? Heck, you could have them fight over a grate and some sluices and collect the sweat that way...

  3. Re:no obvious tags please by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    1. Complain about recycled humor on slashdot
    2. ....
    3. Profit!

  4. Re:no obvious tags please by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    In Soviet Russia, old jokes laugh at YOU.

  5. Re:I'm sorry by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    let's recall Voyager just to replace it's batteries, then send it out for another 30 years. Not to worry. If we're willing to wait a little longer, I'm sure a group of super-powerful aliens will bring it right back to us.

  6. I for one... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    welcome our recycled tag overlords.

  7. Re:I'm sorry by TooMuchToDo · · Score: 2, Funny

    Technically, all batteries "generate" power through a chemical reaction, but I don't want to split "potential" hairs with you ;)