Researchers have created a battery that transforms nuclear waste into energy – in a crucial step for the elimination of radioactive waste.
Although nuclear power plants do not produce carbon emissions, this source of energy generates radioactive wastewhich remain active for thousands of years and are dangerous to the environment.
To reuse these waste, an research team from the University of Ohio, has developed an innovative battery that converts the energy of radioactive waste into electricity, transforming a dangerous byproduct of nuclear energy production into a potential energy source for specialized applications.
High density materials that emit light when absorbing radiation were used, the so -called sparkling crystals, combined with solar cells to convert gamma radiation into electricity. The result were brilliant batteries.
The study was in the February edition of Optical Materials: X.
In an interview with, Raymond Caostudy leader and teacher of mechanical and aerospace engineering explained that “The device is able to absorb the rays of nuclear waste [capaz de penetrar a maioria dos materiais] and convert your energy into visible light ”.
“The beauty of this approach is the brilliant light that the sparkle Produces can be collected and converted into electricity, ”he added.
The battery prototype-which measures only 4 cubic centimeters-was tested at the Ohio State nuclear reactor laboratory, using two radioactive sources: cesium-137 and Cobalto-60.
As researchers in Live Science detailed, the battery produced 288 nanowatts of energy when fed by cesium-137 and 1,500 nanowatts when used the most radioactive isotope Cobalto-60-the enough to make it work Microelectronic systems such as microchips or emergency equipment.
Researchers provide for the new battery to be used in nuclear systems for spatial and deep water exploration, where extreme radiation levels make conventional energy sources impractical.
The next step is to work to expand that this technology to applications at the level or beyond the Watt level with the correct power source.
“It is necessary to continue to develop more lasting and radiation resistant materials to ensure the longevity of the system,” said Cao.
“The concept of nuclear battery is very promising,” said the co -author Ibrahim Oksuz num .
“There is still a lot of room for improvements, but I believe that in the future this approach will gain an important space in both energy production and sensor industry,” he added.
