Is there a way to convert radiation from atomic decay into energy directly, the same way we do sunlight with a solar cell?
Is there a way to convert radiation from atomic decay into energy directly, the same way we do sunlight with a solar cell?
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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This article has a good breakdown. The biggest issue is efficiency. RTGs are around 5-9% efficient. Standard steam cycle generators are around 30% (see this article ) . You get much more usable energy from fuel used in a commercial reactor vice a RTG.
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From the article it looks like RTGs are just converting the heat energy into electricity. Seems like there's a lot unused potential being missed.
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Yes, I don't think RTGs are really what you're asking about. It's just a solid state way of turning heat into energy instead of using steam.
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Can you ELI5 why the efficiency is so low on the RTGs?
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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.
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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?
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Thank you so much. I think I’m kind of getting but you have some to ing I can do some more research on.
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You might be interested about this, too: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_thermal_energy_conversion
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Very much so! Guess I’m going down this rabbit hole before bed tonight haha. Thanks for the extra info.
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They take the waste heat from nuclear decay and convert it to electricity through the use of a peltier device. Those work off of differential temperature and are pretty inefficient to begin with. Unmderated Nuclear decay doesn't produce a lot of heat at one time, which is why reactors use a moderator to increase the power output.
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