Bonam Posted November 1, 2012 Report Posted November 1, 2012 (edited) http://www.gizmag.co...-battery/23720/ http://www.citylabs.net/ I've been wondering for a while when we'd get commercial tritium batteries, and looks like some came on the market just this year. Exciting news, batteries that can last for decades (without recharge), supplying continuous power. Nuclear batteries such as this can have energy densities up to ~1 million times greater than chemical batteries. With a regulatory approval precedent set for nuclear batteries, hopefully higher power versions will be developed and introduced. The applications are endless: medical implants, MEMS, spacecraft, and as higher power versions become developed, consumer electronics, just to name a few. Imagine a cell phone or laptop that never needs to be recharged. Edited November 1, 2012 by Bonam Quote
eyeball Posted November 1, 2012 Report Posted November 1, 2012 (edited) I think the world would still be a better place with faster horses, looser women and an honest 4 finger lid. Edited November 1, 2012 by eyeball Quote I said now watch what you say they'll be calling you a radical, a liberal, oh fanatical criminal
Wild Bill Posted November 1, 2012 Report Posted November 1, 2012 http://www.gizmag.co...-battery/23720/ http://www.citylabs.net/ I've been wondering for a while when we'd get commercial tritium batteries, and looks like some came on the market just this year. Exciting news, batteries that can last for decades (without recharge), supplying continuous power. Nuclear batteries such as this can have energy densities up to ~1 million times greater than chemical batteries. With a regulatory approval precedent set for nuclear batteries, hopefully higher power versions will be developed and introduced. The applications are endless: medical implants, MEMS, spacecraft, and as higher power versions become developed, consumer electronics, just to name a few. Imagine a cell phone or laptop that never needs to be recharged. Looks like they still need some development, Bonam The amp hrs so far aren't that impressive. Might keep CMOS memory active in a cell phone but that's about it. Quote "A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul." -- George Bernard Shaw "There is no point in being difficult when, with a little extra effort, you can be completely impossible."
Bonam Posted November 1, 2012 Author Report Posted November 1, 2012 Looks like they still need some development, Bonam Oh, for sure. Everything has to begin with a first step, though. Quote
Moonlight Graham Posted November 1, 2012 Report Posted November 1, 2012 (edited) Ya it's talking about powering "microelectronics" for 20 years, not things like iPhones and laptops that use a lot of juice. Sure would be nice thought if I could get a 1-year charge out of a battery for those things. Heck I'll very happily take a month even. a. what are the safety concerns for this? ie: radioactivity exposure (esp. if using something like a cellphone), damage exposure, & environmental in disposing of a depleted battery? Does it give off that much radioactivity? b. how much would something like this cost to a consumer? Edited November 1, 2012 by Moonlight Graham Quote "All generalizations are false, including this one." - Mark Twain Partisanship is a disease of the intellect.
TimG Posted November 1, 2012 Report Posted November 1, 2012 I think this is more interesting: http://eetimes.com/electronics-news/4182617/Silicon-air-battery-touts-unlimited-shelf-life Technion-Israel Institute of Technology scientists have developed an environmentally friendly silicon-air battery that can supply non-stop power for thousands of hours without needing to be replaced. Created from oxygen and silicon—the second most plentiful element in the earth's crust—such batteries would be lightweight, have an unlimited shelf life, and have a high tolerance for both humid and extremely dry conditions. Potential uses include medical applications such as for powering diabetic pumps or hearing aids; sensors; and microelectronics structured from silicon Quote
GostHacked Posted November 1, 2012 Report Posted November 1, 2012 a. what are the safety concerns for this? ie: radioactivity exposure (esp. if using something like a cellphone), damage exposure, & environmental in disposing of a depleted battery? Does it give off that much radioactivity? b. how much would something like this cost to a consumer? The radiation point is a good one. If they put that nuclear radioactive icon on the battery what exactly is it giving off? And I think the cost will be high obviously at the start. Depending how small they can get, possibly on a nano scale then you can power a whole fleet of MEMS if need be. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microelectromechanical_systems Quote
cybercoma Posted November 1, 2012 Report Posted November 1, 2012 No worries. They can just encase it in lead..... Quote
Bonam Posted November 1, 2012 Author Report Posted November 1, 2012 Regarding radiation concerns: Tritium is a pure beta emitter. Betas emission is just electrons, which can be completely stopped by a thin layer of metal foil. No radiation should be emitted on the outside of the battery. Quote
Moonlight Graham Posted November 1, 2012 Report Posted November 1, 2012 I think this is more interesting: http://eetimes.com/e...ited-shelf-life Very cool, given the seemingly unlimited amount of silicon available in the earth. Quote "All generalizations are false, including this one." - Mark Twain Partisanship is a disease of the intellect.
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