Power-generation and heating units using radioactive decay as their primary energy source have been successfully used in space and on Earth for over 60 years. RHU principles and technology are similar in many ways to those of the RTG, but with important differences in objective and implementation. Q: We’ve looked at the use of radioactive […]
NASA
Need a really long-life battery or heat? Try a radioisotope thermal source – problem solved! – Part 3
Power-generation and heating units using radioactive decay as their primary energy source have been successfully used in space and on Earth for over 60 years. This part looks at RTG operation in detail. Q: What’s this about radioactive decay and heat? A: Heat is generated when the natural or man-made unstable isotopes of elements undergo […]
Why lithium-ion batteries catch fire: Researchers mimic faults to figure out failure mechanisms
Researchers from NASA, the DoE’s Renewable Lab, and the EU are getting insights into why lithium-ion cells fail thanks to the use of a device that induces short circuits inside the battery itself. The device researchers came up with can induce an internal short circuit on-demand and at a pre-determined location inside commercially available spiral-wound […]
