Disposal of radioactive waste, as well as graphite blocks, has long been of concern to scientists. Graphite blocks, which are used to control temperature and nuclear reactions in nuclear reactors, also become radioactive from time to time under the influence of extremely radioactive uranium rods. And there comes a time when such blocks also need to be disposed of.
Having tackled this problem, scientists at the University of Bristol came up with an unexpected solution that not only solves the problem, but also allows the use of graphite blocks to generate electricity. Their method is based on the fact that when graphite is heated, radioactive carbon turns into a gaseous state, and it can be used to produce artificial diamonds.
Yes, because diamonds are another form of the same carbon. Moreover, the diamonds obtained from carbon-14 will have such a feature as the generation of an electric current (low voltage, but still): this happens from the primary radioactivity of the "graphene" gas from radioactive blocks.
Thus, as a result of processing instead of waste in the form of contaminated blocks, scientists have received a kind of diamond battery with a small current strength, but working as long as the half-life of carbon-14 takes place, which is 5730 years! During this time, such a battery will lose half of its charge. Without repair, without recharging, the battery will last thousands of years, it is tempting!
The actual amount of carbon-14 in each battery has yet to be determined, but one battery containing 1 g of carbon-14 will produce 15 Joules per day. This is less than an AA battery: a standard alkaline battery weighs about 20 g and has a power reserve of 700 J / g. If operated continuously, it will run out of charge in 24 hours.
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Of course, there remains the issue of radiation, which will not go anywhere. But even here modern technologies already allow solving the problem - the "radiation diamond" will be covered with an ordinary layer, which will reduce the background radiation level to the level of about a banana. And also this layer will allow to reduce the losses of the diamond battery, making its efficiency tending to 100%.
Of course, such batteries will not be used in laptops and smartphones: for all the tempting technology, the implementation is very expensive. But where a long working life is needed and there is no possibility of replacement - in space, in various sensors in hard-to-reach places on the Earth and other planets, or even in implants - such batteries will find their place there.
Well, the opportunity to get them by processing radiation waste should contribute to the development of technologies in this direction.