Nuclear-powered cellphone battery?

When your cellphone explodes you're probably going to need a hazmat team in addition to an EMT, but researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a prototype for a new kind of battery that generates power by using silicon to capture electrons emitted from a radioactive gas (in this case, tritium, which is actually one of the least dangerous radionuclides out there). There's already a company called BetaBatt which is working on ways to commercialize the technology.

[Via textually.org]

[Tim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Don't cellphones give off enough radiation as it is? or so they say/don't say.

[skmetal7 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

it would be hermetically sealed and no radiation would be able to escape.

but it would be just awesome to not have to worry about batt. life anymore, all u would have to worry about it is a nuclear meltdown!

[Martin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Yes, I too look forward to owning one of these new cellphones/hand grenades. :)

[Frangible @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

As much as I love tritium, it's far too weak to do anything for a cell phone's power drain. It's also very expensive to make because to make it, you must transmute lithium by bombarding it with neutrons in a fission reactor.

[aelso @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Bear in mind that this is only in prototype stage. I'm sure extensive tests and research will be caried out to insure saftey of these new cells.

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

"The first tritium-powered BetaBatteriesTM are expected to produce approximately 400-microwatts per cubic centimeter of active device volume." --from http://www.betabatt.com/

Hmm, I doubt this will be powering my laptop anytime soon. According to Google, I'd need roughly 3 cubic feet of batteries.

[Emre Yucel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Cell phones transmit signal by generating microwaves. They're like little microwave ovens, if you could concentrate their power, you could use them to cook food.

Radioactive materials produces either alpha or beta particles or gamma rays when they're decaying. In this case, the material used is tritium, which decays into helium by ejecting beta particles (also known as electrons). All you need to stop beta particles is a thin piece of metal. They will indeed need to capture the beta particles somehow if they're trying to use this as a power source. The article does say: "generates power by using silicon to capture electrons emitted". So you're safe. :)

[tr @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

didn't you guys cover this a couple weeks ago???

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000200043110/

[Homer J @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I am sure the FAA will have absolutly no problem with bringing these on aircraft...

[Seth @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

If I was on Fear Factor and I had the option of drinking a Li ion battery contents or an equal amount of tritium... It is a no brainer. Tritium is such a weak beta emitter that nothing will happen. A six pack of beer will flush anything out of you. Battery acid on the other hand is not near as safe.

[Chump @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I believe this diagram to be incorrect. The nuclear powered shaving razor I developed uses three neutrons instead of two neatrons as the diagram shows. Imagine, something going nuclear with only 2 neutrons. Ha! What a laugh that would be!

[bkim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Tritium is considered contraband in the US at high amounts. It's commonly used in bomb detonators. I'm a bit skeptical about tritum powered batteries and then the legal use of them in the US.

[jay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Kaboom! We'll be seeing more exploding cellphone batteries. This time, with more destructiveness.

[dcmachead @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

yeah...that'd be a hoot...seeing stories about dumbfucks buying offbrand nuclear batteries on ebay to save a few bucks

[Darnell Clayton @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Well, I guess it's about time I ordered that radiation suit from ebay. Anybody have any offers cheaper than $100?

[Petrica @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

In this case, the material used is tritium, which decays into helium by ejecting beta particles (also known as electrons). All you need to stop beta particles is a thin piece of metal.

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

wow! now cellphones will REALLY give you cancer!

[lmfao lmfao @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

KABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Clint @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Tritium..... Hmmm, where's DOCTOR OCTOPUS? I bet he would like to get his hands on it.

(I know. I know. Not that funny. But given the facts of the article it had to be said.)

[Jazzay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

People need to stop hating, the smart people are right you know! Nuclear batteries are perfectly safe! no radiation gets out, its not gonna have a melt down, would it be a little warmer tho?

[Patricia Knighten @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

No laptops with beta cells. Our work shows demonstrates highest conversion efficiency, harder semiconductor, and much higher energy isotopes- but still, not enough for a laptop or cellphone, and why would you spend the money to license with Nuclear Regulatory Commission when you can get to a wall and recharge.... READ ON TO SEE WHAT IS REAL WITH BETA CELLS
Tuesday, October 10, 2005, 2005
Press Contact: Patricia Knighten, Qynergy Corporation [phone]

Qynergy Corporation Announces Breakthrough
in Power Cell Performance

11% Direct Energy Conversion Efficiency Recorded on New Betavoltaic Power Cell Design is More Than Ever Recorded
Albuquerque, NM, September 1, 2005� Qynergy Corporation, a leading developer of betavoltaic power cells, today announced the highest ever energy conversion efficiency ever recorded for these cells. This breakthrough is key for enabling capabilities that otherwise do not exist for applications that require longer power life in a compact, low volume package. The QynCell�, a trade name for Qynergy�s betavoltaic power cell technology, has the potential to continuously generate small amounts of electricity for up to 20 years. This accomplishment moves the insatiable quest for long life, compact power sources into the near term realm of possibilities.
Betavoltaic power cell technology is similar to solar power generation, but uses radioisotopes instead of the sunlight as the energy source. By transforming the energy of beta particles into usable electrical power, with a radiation resistant semiconductor, electricity can be generated for months or years, depending on the energy and half life of the isotope used. QynCells are also rugged, safe, portable, and they operate in harsh environments, extreme temperatures, and require no maintenance.
The engineers and scientists at Qynergy, under contract with Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate, and in collaboration with Dr. J. David Robertson Associate Director, University of Missouri Research Reactor, demonstrated 11% electrical conversion efficiency from their most recent betavoltaic device design using a silicon carbide semiconductor and Phosphorous 33 beta-isotope.

While Phosphorous 33 has a very short half life (25.3 days), it has beta decay characteristics very similar to Promethium 147 which has a half-life of 2.62 years. If Promethium 147 was used in a similar design, it could provide power for more than 2.5 years. �For powers on the order of 10 or even 100 microwatts and longer lifetimes�, says Dr. Chris Eiting, Director of Engineering, �We are working on a stack of betavoltaic devices with isotope layers between them for voltage to scale according to the needs of the application. We have our work cut out for us, but we are confident and excited�, Eiting says.
The QynCell can be used as a stand-alone power source or coupled with a variety of power storage and power generation technologies to extend the overall power system lifetime or to generate boost power. Qynergy is working to integrate a QynCell with super capacitors and rechargeable lithium ion batteries. QynCell power can also be built-in to an application, which is particularly important for emerging micro and nano systems.
The Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate has extended the contract with Qynergy to fund the development of QynCell designs for specific Department of Defense applications. Designs are being developed for products using two different isotopes, Promethium 147 and Krypton 85. These designs are for devices with lifetimes ranging from 1 to 20 years and for power ranging from microwatts to 10�s of milliWatts depending on the needs and requirements of the specific application.

Qynergy is working with Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center�s Power Systems Technology Branch for evaluation and test; and is working with two large defense contractors for integration into applications, and for understanding the manufacturing and support needs for safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance.

About Qynergy Corporation
The Qynergy Corporation, founded in 2001, is a privately held high technology company with core competencies in semiconductors, energy systems and microelectronics. Qynergy is the developer of the radioisotope fueled QynCell� micro power technology and associated products. The company�s headquarters are in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information, see www.qynergy.com.
- END -

[Patricia Knighten @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

No laptops with beta cells. Our work shows demonstrates highest conversion efficiency, harder semiconductor, and much higher energy isotopes- but still, not enough for a laptop or cellphone, and why would you spend the money to license with Nuclear Regulatory Commission when you can get to a wall and recharge.... READ ON TO SEE WHAT IS REAL WITH BETA CELLS
Tuesday, October 10, 2005, 2005
Press Contact: Patricia Knighten, Qynergy Corporation [phone]

Qynergy Corporation Announces Breakthrough
in Power Cell Performance

11% Direct Energy Conversion Efficiency Recorded on New Betavoltaic Power Cell Design is More Than Ever Recorded
Albuquerque, NM, September 1, 2005� Qynergy Corporation, a leading developer of betavoltaic power cells, today announced the highest ever energy conversion efficiency ever recorded for these cells. This breakthrough is key for enabling capabilities that otherwise do not exist for applications that require longer power life in a compact, low volume package. The QynCell�, a trade name for Qynergy�s betavoltaic power cell technology, has the potential to continuously generate small amounts of electricity for up to 20 years. This accomplishment moves the insatiable quest for long life, compact power sources into the near term realm of possibilities.
Betavoltaic power cell technology is similar to solar power generation, but uses radioisotopes instead of the sunlight as the energy source. By transforming the energy of beta particles into usable electrical power, with a radiation resistant semiconductor, electricity can be generated for months or years, depending on the energy and half life of the isotope used. QynCells are also rugged, safe, portable, and they operate in harsh environments, extreme temperatures, and require no maintenance.
The engineers and scientists at Qynergy, under contract with Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate, and in collaboration with Dr. J. David Robertson Associate Director, University of Missouri Research Reactor, demonstrated 11% electrical conversion efficiency from their most recent betavoltaic device design using a silicon carbide semiconductor and Phosphorous 33 beta-isotope.

While Phosphorous 33 has a very short half life (25.3 days), it has beta decay characteristics very similar to Promethium 147 which has a half-life of 2.62 years. If Promethium 147 was used in a similar design, it could provide power for more than 2.5 years. �For powers on the order of 10 or even 100 microwatts and longer lifetimes�, says Dr. Chris Eiting, Director of Engineering, �We are working on a stack of betavoltaic devices with isotope layers between them for voltage to scale according to the needs of the application. We have our work cut out for us, but we are confident and excited�, Eiting says.
The QynCell can be used as a stand-alone power source or coupled with a variety of power storage and power generation technologies to extend the overall power system lifetime or to generate boost power. Qynergy is working to integrate a QynCell with super capacitors and rechargeable lithium ion batteries. QynCell power can also be built-in to an application, which is particularly important for emerging micro and nano systems.
The Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate has extended the contract with Qynergy to fund the development of QynCell designs for specific Department of Defense applications. Designs are being developed for products using two different isotopes, Promethium 147 and Krypton 85. These designs are for devices with lifetimes ranging from 1 to 20 years and for power ranging from microwatts to 10�s of milliWatts depending on the needs and requirements of the specific application.

Qynergy is working with Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center�s Power Systems Technology Branch for evaluation and test; and is working with two large defense contractors for integration into applications, and for understanding the manufacturing and support needs for safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance.

About Qynergy Corporation
The Qynergy Corporation, founded in 2001, is a privately held high technology company with core competencies in semiconductors, energy systems and microelectronics. Qynergy is the developer of the radioisotope fueled QynCell� micro power technology and associated products. The company�s headquarters are in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information, see www.qynergy.com.
- END -