What is an atomic battery?

The

Atomic battery derives power to start the device from the break -up of radioactive isotopes. These batteries can have an extremely long life, which makes them useful for applications where it is difficult or impossible to access components to replace the battery. Sometimes they are referred to as "nuclear batteries", although it is a bit of the wrong name, because they do not rely on a chain reaction to energy generation. With the correct construction, they are very stable and safe and are made of appropriate isotopes.

One application for atomic batteries is used to power the spacecraft. Probe, binoculars and other devices need a power source, but may not be applicable to replace the batteries. The atomic battery can provide the energy needed to maintain and send signals back to the base and should last throughout the life of the device. Other equipment that must be left unattended after prolonged dulling for things such as implanted medical devices.

These batteries can extract energy from radioactive isotopes in many ways. Some rely on thermal energy. When isotopes disintegrate, they produce heat that the atomic battery can use to produce electricity. Heat can also be useful on devices such as spacecraft that require heat source to keep scientific tools in a safe temperature range. In the deep cold of space, the components would freeze quickly without heating, but the energy formation could cause the device to run out of energy, so atomic batteries provide heat and strength to solve this problem.

Other devices rely on non -termal energy production methods. The most common method uses beta particle emissions to create electricity. This atomic battery design is known as Betavoltaic design and is quite safe for use around people, because beta parties cannot penetrate human leather. Are much weakerthan more dangerous gamma particles that may be a problem for some radioactive isotopes.

It is also possible to convert disintegration directly to kinetic energy for use to move mechanical components of the device. Experimental projects of atomic batteries have shown how this application could be useful for some medical devices and other facilities. The life of the battery depends on the properties of the isotope used to produce it, but it can be for ten or more years. This can satisfy the needs of many devices and provide stable energy supply for a longer period of time.