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Author Topic: good article on how robots are powered by plutonium 238  (Read 1684 times)

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Offline AdminTopic starter

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good article on how robots are powered by plutonium 238
« on: September 20, 2013, 01:01:53 AM »
A good article on how robots and spacecraft are powered by plutonium 238:
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/09/plutonium-238-problem/

Also, it appears we are running out of it . . .

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Offline jwatte

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Re: good article on how robots are powered by plutonium 238
« Reply #1 on: September 20, 2013, 09:58:35 AM »
There are alternatives. The most interesting I've heard IIRC is a Thorium pile with a Peltier-like power converter.
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Offline jwatte

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Re: good article on how robots are powered by plutonium 238
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2013, 10:01:45 AM »
Quote from: jwatte on September 20, 2013, 09:58:35 AM
I'm not sure if "there are no options" is technically true. There are some alternatives. The most interesting I've heard IIRC is a Thorium pile with a Peltier-like power converter. Don't know how close it is to realization, though, or whether it will have all of the lifespan of the plutonium.
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