Its really a shame that more people dont know thier base nuclear theory.. Nuclear applications like this are in reality very safe, provided a little bit of engineering goes into the design.
The whole idea of having to 'dispose' of all this waste when we are done with these is just an indication of how far we have to go with basic education on these things. The whole idea behind these power sources is that they run off of the energy released by radioactive isatopes(sp?) AS THEY DECAY.. This means that when your power stops flowing, the unit's supply of radioactives *should* have completely exausted itself. And if it has not, it means that the miniscule amount that remains will not pose any threat to anything.
People have no problems going and getting an x-ray, flying on a plane, installing smoke alarms in thier house, etc. radiation is all around us, its normal. It all becomes a matter of how well the general populace has been educated about the risks (or the lack thereof)
INAP, but I do know that these appear to be a very good, safe idea, and if noone else is going to use them, I sure will:-)
Disclamer: I own one of these wonderful lil' diesel beasts, so I may be biased.
The TDI powertrain that VW has avalable in the Golf, Jetta, and New Beetle may not be as efficent as the hybrids (we are talking about a difference of 10 mpg at most here) But they have the advantage of, as someone earlier put so eloquently, not looking like total ass.
They also have NO trouble hitting 100 mph, and do it without slaying the fuel economy. You loose a little of your milage if you throw biodeisel into it, but it requires no modifications, and your emmisions go from 'low emissions vehicle' to 'why not just breathe outta the tailpipe.' (well maybe not THAT good.. )
But on biodeisel you are able to completely remove all use of fossil fuels entirely. I have never had an issue with my TDI starting in the dead of winter here in the great white north (-25C)
At the very least, go drive a TDI, they are wonderful, powerful, clean engines.
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Cool stuff for sure tho!
The whole idea of having to 'dispose' of all this waste when we are done with these is just an indication of how far we have to go with basic education on these things. The whole idea behind these power sources is that they run off of the energy released by radioactive isatopes(sp?) AS THEY DECAY.. This means that when your power stops flowing, the unit's supply of radioactives *should* have completely exausted itself. And if it has not, it means that the miniscule amount that remains will not pose any threat to anything.
People have no problems going and getting an x-ray, flying on a plane, installing smoke alarms in thier house, etc. radiation is all around us, its normal. It all becomes a matter of how well the general populace has been educated about the risks (or the lack thereof)
INAP, but I do know that these appear to be a very good, safe idea, and if noone else is going to use them, I sure will :-)
Disclamer: I own one of these wonderful lil' diesel beasts, so I may be biased.
:-)
The TDI powertrain that VW has avalable in the Golf, Jetta, and New Beetle may not be as efficent as the hybrids (we are talking about a difference of 10 mpg at most here) But they have the advantage of, as someone earlier put so eloquently, not looking like total ass.
They also have NO trouble hitting 100 mph, and do it without slaying the fuel economy. You loose a little of your milage if you throw biodeisel into it, but it requires no modifications, and your emmisions go from 'low emissions vehicle' to 'why not just breathe outta the tailpipe.' (well maybe not THAT good.. )
But on biodeisel you are able to completely remove all use of fossil fuels entirely. I have never had an issue with my TDI starting in the dead of winter here in the great white north (-25C)
At the very least, go drive a TDI, they are wonderful, powerful, clean engines.
And the cars they are in dont look like ass