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Efficient Battery Relies on Radiolysis

Posted October 22, 2014 12:00 AM by Engineering360 eNewsletter

A novel form of nuclear-based power generation is being harnessed by University of Missouri researchers - in a battery. Betavoltaics, or electricity production from radiation, has been under development since the 1950s. What differentiates this new device is the use of a water-based solution as a buffer during radiolysis to produce an electric current. New Energy and Fuel provides more details on how the strontium-90-sourced, platinum-coated nanostructured titanium dioxide water splitter operates. A maximum energy conversion efficiency of 53% was documented during initial demonstrations.

Editor's Note: This news brief was brought to you by the Alternative & Renewable Energy eNewsletter. Subscribe today to have content like this delivered to your inbox

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Rixter
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Re: Efficient Battery Relies on Radiolysis

10/22/2014 9:36 PM

This sound really promising...

http://www.nature.com/srep/2014/140611/srep05249/full/srep05249.html
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James Stewart
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Re: Efficient Battery Relies on Radiolysis

10/24/2014 10:52 AM

Yes, this is good, but at this juncture, at 70-80 μW/cm2 of the incident Beta energy seems low (perhaps no so much when compared with some other "batteries"). 58% energy conversion to electric power is excellent on the first try, so wish them well.

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