In the United States, a team of researchers from theOhio University It has designed a battery capable of exploiting electromagnetic waves emitted by the radioactive waste of nuclear fuels. This technology could represent an energy solution for extreme environments, such as space or sea depths.
Take advantage of the gamma rays to produce electricity
Despite the limited growth of nuclear power plants in recent years, atomic energy remains a crucial source of electricity at low carbon emissions In countries such as the United States and France. However, the activity of the central generates Highly dangerous radioactive wastewhich place serious risks to human health and the environment.
To reduce the impact of these waste, a team led by Professor Raymond Cao has developed an innovative battery capable of transform nuclear waste into energy. The system uses i gamma rays issued by the isotopes present in exhausted fuels. These rays interact with sparkling crystalswhich convert the radiation into light, subsequently transformed into electricity by a solar cell.
To test the effectiveness of technology, researchers used Cesio-137 And cobalt-60two common isotopes in nuclear waste, managing to operate a battery prototype of about 4 cm³.
A promising technology with room for improvement
The first experiments have shown that the battery is able to generate 288 Nanowatt with Cesio-137 And 1,5 Microwatt with cobalt-60. Although these are still reduced quantities of energy, they are already sufficient to feed small sensors. According to Professor Cao, the system has great margins of improvementand in the future it could play an important role in the energy sector and in the production of advanced electronic devices.
One of the main advantages of this nuclear battery is its ability to operate in hostile environmentssuch as space, ocean seabed or even radioactive waste storage sites. Thanks to this innovation, the University of Ohio Spera di reduce the environmental impact of nuclear powerwhile providing a new solution for the production of energy in extreme conditions.
