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Atomic Insights

Atomic energy technology, politics, and perceptions from a nuclear energy insider who served as a US nuclear submarine engineer officer

The Atomic Show #047 – Atomic Batteries that last a very long time

February 1, 2007 By Rod Adams 1 Comment

Atomic batteries can store thousands of times more energy per unit mass than chemical batteries – leading to very long lives in special applications

One of our listeners – Bruno Garcia – asked us to talk about nuclear (atomic) batteries. These devices make use of the energy that radioactive isotopes emit on a continuous basis to provide heat and electricity for devices that need to operate for a long period of time.

With the right isotope, nuclear batteries can contain thousands of times more energy per unit mass than chemical batteries. They have been used by NASA for space research, by the Coast Guard for remote navigation devices and by medical equipment suppliers to power pacemakers.

Shane and I were happy to oblige and enjoyed our conversation. We hope you do too. Here are some additional links to other sources of information about this fascinating and valuable use of nuclear materials.

  • Batteries That Last For Decades – an article from the first issue of Atomic Insights and one of the most popular articles from that magazine over time.
  • Nuclear Microbatteries – this presentation from a 2002 ANS meeting has some useful data.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/AtomicShowFiles/tpn_atomic_20070130_047.mp3

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Filed Under: Batteries, General, Podcast

About Rod Adams

Rod Adams is an atomic energy expert with small nuclear plant operating and design experience, now serving as a Managing Partner at Nucleation Capital, an emerging climate-focused fund. Rod, a former submarine Engineer Officer and founder of Adams Atomic Engines, Inc., one of the earliest advanced nuclear ventures, has engaged in technical, strategic, political, historic and financial discussion and analysis of the nuclear industry, its technology and policies for several decades. He is the founder of Atomic Insights and host and producer of The Atomic Show Podcast.

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  1. Manny says

    August 4, 2009 at 12:57 PM

    Could the Hyperion uranium hydride nuclear battery be used in powering our shipping? There is quite a bit of diesel used in shipping which a) produces quite some CO2 and b) uses quite some diesel.

    Reply

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