A new method for converting radiation directly to electricity is being explored as a replacement to thermoelectric-based nuclear batteries traditionally used in spacecraft. The material currently being tested is composed of carbon nanotubes, gold, and lithium hydride, making it potentially expensive but interesting nevertheless.
Other potential applications for this material would be as a replacement or complement to steam turbines in nuclear reactors or as a nuclear waste-based power generation system. The actual efficiency of this technology is still in question, but it is allegedly twenty times more efficient than thermoelectrics when used in the same application.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
GAO Report on US Alternative Energy Use/Investment
The US General Accounting Office has released a report highlighting our government's inability to wean Americans from fossil fuels. Our dependence on them has dropped from 93% in 1973 to 85% today - a far cry from where we need to be.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Nanowire-based Ultracapacitors May Replace Car Batteries
More news is circulating about advancements in the realm of nanowire-based ultracapacitors. It is possible that EEstor is already ahead of the game in this area of research, but that remains to be seen.
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