Ilaria Rosella Pagliaro Ohio University scientists have created a revolutionary battery that harnesses gamma rays from nuclear waste to generate electricity
In the United States, Ohio State University researchers have developed a new battery that can harness electromagnetic waves from radioactive decay in nuclear fuel waste. The new technology could offer an energy source to be used in harsh environments such as outer space or the sea floor.
Harnessing gamma rays to generate electricity
While nuclear power stations have experienced sluggish expansion in recent times, atomic energy continues to be a significant low-carbon source of electricity in nations such as the U.S. and France. The plants, however, generate extremely radioactive wastes that present severe risks to human health and the environment.
To help decrease the impact of nuclear waste, a team led by Professor Raymond Cao has come up with a new battery that is capable of converting nuclear waste into electrical energy. The process relies on gamma radiation from isotopes in spent nuclear fuel. Gamma radiation energizes scintillator crystals, which convert radiation into light. Light is converted into electricity using a solar cell.
To test the battery’s performance, the researchers used cesium-137 and cobalt-60—two isotopes that are prevalent in nuclear waste—and successfully powered a prototype battery of about 0.24 cubic inches.
A promising technology with room to grow
Initial experiments showed that the battery could generate 288 nanowatts using cesium-137 and 1.5 microwatts using cobalt-60. While still very small amounts of energy, this is already sufficient to power tiny sensors. Professor Cao states that there is ample room for improvement in the system and that one day it could play a significant role in both energy production and the development of advanced electronic devices.
One of the most promising aspects of this nuclear battery is that it can function in extreme environments—space, the ocean floor, or even nuclear waste repositories. With this innovation, Ohio State University seeks to reduce the environmental impact of nuclear energy while also developing an alternative energy source for the most extreme environments.
Source: ScienceDirect
