Betavoltaics - Technology Forum

Moderator Joined: Jun 21, 2005 Posts: 271

*The gas tritium, used in the newly developed batteries,
is an isotope, or variant, of hydrogen. It consists of two
neutrons, a proton and an electron. Because of its
radioactivity, one of the neutrons quickly releases an
additional electron, turning itself into a proton in the
process. The released electrons can be harnessed to
create an electric current.*
Above quoted from original site:<URL>http://www.world-science.net/othernews/050513_batteryfrm.htm<URL>

This is the technology behind betavoltaic batteries.
The problem with them until now has been one of low
current due to random catching of the released electrons.
A new design of electron-collecting-surfaces greatly
increases the amount of electrons that can be captured
creating more current.

These batteries are only limited by the 12 year half life
of the the tritium in them. But since the tritium at every
given moment is decaying it is constantly producing
electricty. Maybe the extra unused electricity; when
the battery is not powering anything; could be stored
for later use. What I propose is a kind of hybrid battery
that will take the electricity being generated in the
betavoltaic, when not in use, and store it in a rechargable
battery. This way you could boost the power in a kind of
double battery.

Anybody have comments?

Mentor Joined: Jun 21, 2005 Posts: 94

Human-made tritium is generated by bombarding hydrogen with neutrons in a nuclear reactor or an accelerator which makes it a little expensive. Crying or Very sad

Expert Joined: Nov 17, 2004 Posts: 158 Location: Egypt

It sounded like enumerating the impossible possibilities when quantity requirements and rates generated are considered.
The theory of "Darn, only if we could", is becoming a very common laugh nowadays.
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Hemetis

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