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We already use radioactive materials in our smoke alarms. And they aren't eternal batteries either. To longlived a isotope wont output enough power (long lived

We already use radioactive materials in our smoke alarms. And they aren't eternal batteries either. To longlived a isotope wont output enough power (long lived means less decay events to release energy in a given amount of time), conversly you probably dont want to energetic an energy source as it will decay to quickly. And the batterys energy output will decrease by 50% every halflife so you either have a device that has more energy than it needs early in its life cycle or it will need the power source replaced before its estimated end of life, or third possibility your device like voyager space probes gracefully looses functionality as it ages to consume less power.

throwaway5752 2y ago
The radioactive material in ionization smoke detectors (Americium 241) is present to create ionizing radiation, not to create power. An alpha particle source is a less discretionary use for radioactive materials than generating electricity to run the devices, which typically run on lithium or alkaline batteries if they aren't hardwired.
- smegger001 2y ago
  i am aware they aren't used as batteries in the smoke alarm. I was referring to the part of the gp's comment that radioactive batteries were eternal batteries destined to be horrible radioactive e-waste that far outlive the device they are built in. I was pointing out we already have radioactive elements in widespread use in home electronics and that they weren't "eternal batteries"
  - throwaway5752 2y ago
    I got the sense you knew that. It was just ambiguous in your post and I was clarifying for anyone that might have misread it in the way that I did. No offense intended. It is interesting and I wish I were more of an expert in this area to be able to evaluate the claims in the article made by parties with commercial interests in the topic. I have a sense that the amount of Am-241 in smoke detectors would be many orders of magnitude smaller than in batteries.

throwaway5752 2y ago

The radioactive material in ionization smoke detectors (Americium 241) is present to create ionizing radiation, not to create power. An alpha particle source is a less discretionary use for radioactive materials than generating electricity to run the devices, which typically run on lithium or alkaline batteries if they aren't hardwired.

smegger001 2y ago
i am aware they aren't used as batteries in the smoke alarm. I was referring to the part of the gp's comment that radioactive batteries were eternal batteries destined to be horrible radioactive e-waste that far outlive the device they are built in. I was pointing out we already have radioactive elements in widespread use in home electronics and that they weren't "eternal batteries"
- throwaway5752 2y ago
  I got the sense you knew that. It was just ambiguous in your post and I was clarifying for anyone that might have misread it in the way that I did. No offense intended. It is interesting and I wish I were more of an expert in this area to be able to evaluate the claims in the article made by parties with commercial interests in the topic. I have a sense that the amount of Am-241 in smoke detectors would be many orders of magnitude smaller than in batteries.