🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Dec21.010417.11854@cis.ohio-state.edu>, rubin@grape.cis.ohio-state.edu (Daniel Rubin) writes:
>This discussion has reminded of a solution to our potable energy problems.
>This ideal is probably as useful as when I though of my perpetual motion 
>magnet motor which could never work, but I will throw it out anyways...
>
>Solar cells work by using photons to knock out electrons in a silicon crystal
>structure correct?  Now I am wondering if something could be make to use
>the same principle of "knocking" electrons around using cosmic rays?  If you
>developed such a material you could sandwich it with a thin layer of a 
>radio active substance hence producing a battery that would literally last
>a lifetime.  If this solar cell substance worked as efficiently as current
>solar cells and could produce .5 volts and say 1 amp for a 4 inch square 
>sheet.  You could make a nice 12 volt cell that would be about 4 inches square
>and maybe 1 inch heigh that would produce power for a long long time.  

Well, there are problems.  This radioactive substance is emitting particles. 
Such particles tend to have adverse effects on the crystal structure of
semiconductor devices.

>Of course it would have to be enclosed in lead or something to protect the
>users from the radioactivity, but that can be done I believe...

You'd have to have a substantial amount of activity in the device for it to be
useful as an electrical source.  Enough activity that were the container
breached (e.g., in a house fire), desctruction of a single "battery" would
almost certainly violate existing guidelines for dealing with radioactive
substances.
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Carl J Lydick | INTERnet: CARL@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU | NSI/HEPnet: SOL1::CARL

Disclaimer:  Hey, I understand VAXen and VMS.  That's what I get paid for.  My
understanding of astronomy is purely at the amateur level (or below).  So
unless what I'm saying is directly related to VAX/VMS, don't hold me or my
organization responsible for it.  If it IS related to VAX/VMS, you can try to
hold me responsible for it, but my organization had nothing to do with it.