Couldn’t we have a lead box lined with these radiation to electricity converters with a small amount of radioactive material in the center, and have an energy generating device that would last for thousands or even millions of years? Imagine putting the sun in a box lined with solar cells, but on a much smaller scale.

Is there a reason this wouldn’t work?

  • CookieOfFortune@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    So you need to consider the relationship between the amount of decay radiation and how long a substance lasts. The more radiation, the faster the fuel will decay. If you want something to last a long time this way it will probably be too stable to generate a lot of energy.