Nuclear battery

[NamTinker]

In a non-related hobby of mine (R/C scale model battleships) I found the following interesting article. http://news.com.com/2100-1001-965640.html?tag=fd_top
That elusive high capacity battery is progressing...

 

[X-CalBR8]

Whoo Hoo! According to that article, The Department of Transportation has finally removed the ban of methanol fuel cells on airplanes. That has been one of the largest obstacles facing fuel cells for a long while. Now we may actually be able to buy these things soon.

 

[Darell]

Be the first to own a glow-ring-powered cell phone!

 

[Wits' End]

Maybe if they allow the batteries that emit Beta Particles they'll allow Glow Rings

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[vcal]

Originally posted by Wits' End:
Maybe if they allow the batteries that emit Beta Particles they'll allow Glow Rings

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Interesting that the article asserts that alpha emissions are more hazardous than beta...huh???

 

[Steelwolf]

Aren't alpha particles those with more penetrating power? That's why glow rings are safe, because the beta particles are completely absorbed by the phosphor material?

The only problem I can see with the atomic battery is the use of moving parts. The fuel source may be good for quite a few years, but the moving parts may need periodic maintainence.

Can't wait for that small multi-source fuel cell. That is one of the main points stunting the widespread use of fuel cells. The most efficient of them is apparently the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Very efficient but uses hydrogen and is quite large. To use other fuels, it requires a reformer which detracts from its efficiency and increases its size.

 

[Roy]

As an external hazard, Beta radiation over Alpha radiation. As an internal hazard, Alpha radiation is the most hazardous.

 

[vcal]

Relatively small point, because alpha & beta are considerably less potent than gamma, but in order of penetrating power: (external source)
alpha->beta>x-rays->gamma rays
The shorter the wavelength, the more penetrating -given equal intensity and distance.
Alpha emissions can be blocked by a single sheet of toilet paper.

ex-employee at Hanford Nuclear Works in the 70's.

added..-very interesting point by Roy on the more severe internal damage caused by alpha, though.

 

[James S]

Isn't it BECAUSE you can stop an alpha particle with a piece of paper that it's more dangerous internally? Any and all radiation will be absorbed, and do it's damage inside the body. Where some of a beta and most of other sources would exit without hitting anything.

 

[Ron Schroeder]

Originally posted by James S:
[QB]Isn't it BECAUSE you can stop an alpha particle with a piece of paper that it's more dangerous internally?QB]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Also, externally, alpha is stopped by clothing and the DEAD skin layer so damage is unimportant.

Internally, it is stoped by LIVE tissue where the damage is important.

 

[Roy]

It's all because an Alpha particle has mass...it's a Helium atom without its electrons. And thus ends this session of Radiation Protection 101.

I was a Health Physics/Radiation Protection Tech for 34 years. I've seen the light! The blue glow of massive amounts of radiation stored under 30+ feet of water!

 

[Jonathan]

MMMMMMMM. Blue glow....

I'd like one Cerenkov Radiation Blue glow ring please....

http://www.nuc.umr.edu/reactor/reactor.html

 

[Quickbeam]

Where did the discussion of Alpha particles come in? The cornell team is working with Beta particles (electrons) - the same thing emitted by the tritium in glowrings which can't even penetrate the glass tube...

OK. I see now.... READ the posts, Doug...

 

[Photon]

Atomic batteries?

Anyone remember Batman?

"Atomic batteries to power ... turbines to speed."

 

[Brocken]

The Blue Glow where I worked went away a few years ago and this week we started loading the old fuel into Dry Casks so we can all go find new jobs when they cart the rest of the plant off to landfills.

dave