Deep space probes are already nuclear power sources.
Right now this is mostly a radio isotope heat source and a peltier device to convert the temperature differential to electricity.
JohnDClay@sh.itjust.works 9 months ago
What’s the specific energy and power? If it isn’t terrible, could be very good for things like spacecraft.
MilderRichter@feddit.de 9 months ago
JohnDClay@sh.itjust.works 9 months ago
Yeah, RTDs. But I don’t know if these silicon based ones would have better performance.
WHYAREWEALLCAPS@kbin.social 9 months ago
Not for space craft if what @MilderRichter says is right. To generate power from a peltier you need a temperature differential between the two sides. It is very hard to bleed off heat in space since it's a vacuum. That means a temperature differential is very difficult to achieve and it takes power to do that. Which would necessitate more of these, which means a bigger or additional heat removal system, which means you need more of these, which means a bigger or additional heat removal system, etc, etc, etc.
StrawberryPigtails@lemmy.sdf.org 9 months ago
According to the article, it outputs 100 micro watts at 3 volts. Apparently for 50 years.
Oderus@lemmy.world 9 months ago
With all the CCP misinformation about them making 5nn chips, this could be another bullshit tech coming from the CCP.