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submitted 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) by Melatonin@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

Couldn't we have a lead box lined with these radiation to electricity converters with a small amount of radioactive material in the center, and have an energy generating device that would last for thousands or even millions of years? Imagine putting the sun in a box lined with solar cells, but on a much smaller scale.

Is there a reason this wouldn't work?

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[-] qjkxbmwvz@lemmy.sdf.org 8 points 9 months ago

RTGs aren't radioactive-specific, they are just a solid state way of turning a temperature difference into electricity. The better way to do this (at scale) is e.g. a steam engine, which is what big power plants do.

[-] RangerAndTheCat@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Wow! I think is a subject that I’d going to occupy my downtime for awhile. Thanks for the in depth info, also relevant username?

[-] RangerAndTheCat@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Thank you so much. I think I’m kind of getting but you have some to ing I can do some more research on.

[-] qjkxbmwvz@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 9 months ago
[-] RangerAndTheCat@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Very much so! Guess I’m going down this rabbit hole before bed tonight haha. Thanks for the extra info.

this post was submitted on 17 Sep 2023
119 points (95.4% liked)

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