Diamond Batteries

[aramis]

http://hackaday.com/2016/11/29/diamond-batteries-that-last-for-millennia/
https://phys.org/news/2016-11-diamond-age-power-nuclear-batteries.html

I've seen a figure cited: 1W per 2.26 kg...

Given C₁₂ is SG 3.52, and C₁₄ is roughly 14/12 the mass... SG on the diamond batteries should be about 4.1.
1 Td diamond batteries thus 14 kW, 57 tonnes... And TL 8 or 9...
Just about 0.056 EP (CT HG). Or, in other words, 18 Td per EP...

 

[tjoneslo]

This is an RTG with a different radiation to electricity conversion path.

The limitation on RTG power has been the half life of the radioactive source. For higher power you what something with a shorter half-life. Carbon-14 generally isn't used because it decays slowly.

But from both of the fine articles, it looks like the scientists are looking for a solution of what to do with the radioactive carbon-14, rather than building the most efficient power source possible.

 

[Carlobrand]

Yeah, if you want real power, you want something like carbon 8, which ... oops, it's gone, never mind.

 

[Ex_Pendable]

I was thinking that the diamond batteries could be useful for radio beacons - something low power but long enduring.