Society of Robots - Robot Forum

General Misc => Misc => Topic started by: Admin on September 20, 2013, 01:01:53 AM

Title: good article on how robots are powered by plutonium 238
Post by: Admin 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/ (http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/09/plutonium-238-problem/)

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

(http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/wiredscience/2013/09/INL_clover_440.jpg)

Title: Re: good article on how robots are powered by plutonium 238
Post by: jwatte 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.

Title: Re: good article on how robots are powered by plutonium 238
Post by: jwatte 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.