3 ms·
RTGs (radioisotope thermoelectric generator) are already in use for both deeps space and remote applications. Not sure how this differ. Maybe better efficiency?
by gpderetta 1y ago
RTGs (radioisotope thermoelectric generator) are already in use for both deeps space and remote applications. Not sure how this differ. Maybe better efficiency? Still, why is it called a battery instead of a generator?
Oh, maybe size as RTGs are bulky.
edit: there have been very small RTGs for use in pacemakers. The difference is really that these are not thermal but use the beta flux directly.
- wongarsu 1y agoThe Soviet Union also had mass-produced RTGs for powering equipment in remote locations on earth, like light houses https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta-M https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta-M
- gpderetta 1y agoOh, RTG pacemakers were already betavoltaic [1]. So this is really an incremental improvement on existing tech. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betavoltaic_device https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betavoltaic_device.