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Radioluminescent Generator (RLG)

SPECIFIC idea.
 
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I know, this concept has been around for a while and examples may or may not have been built, depending on who you ask. For those that don't know, a Radioluminescent Generator is similar to a Radioisotope Thermal Generator (electricity from radiation) except that a beta radiation source illuminates a phosphor, which powers solar panels, which powers your electronics. They are also called "betavoltaic batteries", and "optoelectric nuclear batteries" according to wikipedia.

Aaanyway, I want to build one. Here is my idea: six 2x2" solar panels, arranged in a box with the photovoltaic sides facing inwards. Inside the box, a jar of sodium aluminate (the phosphor), mixed with a clear epoxy to that the powder is evenly exposed to the source. In the middle of the "core", a chunk of uranium ore from www.unitednuclear.com. The ore emits beta rays, which charge the sodium aluminate. If I'm lucky the phosphor then glows bright green. If I'm even luckier this bright green glow registers a minute voltage on the solar panels when it is placed in the box. Some circuitry from Radio Shack will allow the box to power something small like a digital wristwatch for ~15 years, until the phosphor degrades and stops glowing.

DIYMatt, May 11 2010

Sodium Aluminate Powder http://unitednuclea..._45&products_id=383
Sodium aluminate is the brightest, most efficient phosphor currently on the market. [DIYMatt, May 11 2010]

Uranium Ore http://unitednuclea...2_4&products_id=462
AFAIK this is the most powerful beta source I can get for $50 (or legally). [DIYMatt, May 11 2010]

Safely_20enclosed_20Radioactive_20Battery [mouseposture, May 11 2010]


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Annotation:







       Sounds reasonable, but why have the "core" as a chunk in the middle? Wouldn't it be better to grind it to a powder and mix with the phosphor? Or have it as a thin layer in the middle of the sandwich?
MaxwellBuchanan, May 11 2010
  

       Yes, if you then used it as a power source for a tiny underwater vehicle, it would be a "submarine sandwich" ...
8th of 7, May 11 2010
  

       Couldn't you do this with something like cesium? That uranium chunk will get everyone's undies in a bundle.
bungston, May 12 2010
  

       Try to find a good match between the spectrum of the phosphor(s) and the conversion spectrum(spectra) of the solar cell(s)
BunsenHoneydew, May 15 2010
  


 

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