Imagine a world where your smartphone stays powered for decades, your electric car runs without recharging, and space missions go further than ever before. Sounds like sci-fi, right? 🚀 Well, welcome to the fascinating world of nuclear batteries! ⚡
Despite sounding like something from a futuristic movie, the concept of nuclear batteries is over a century old. Back in 1912, a brilliant young physicist named Henry Molesey invented the first atomic battery. Tragically, Molesey's life was cut short during World War I, a loss that famed writer Isaac Asimov described as \"the most costly single death of the war to mankind generally.\"
Molesey's invention harnessed beta particles emitted from radium to generate electricity. Think of it like a nuclear reactor but without the scary chain reactions. Instead, it provided a steady, long-lasting power source.
The atomic age truly took off during World War II, and by the 1950s, there were wild ideas about using nuclear energy for everything—from car engines to hearing aids and even heart pacemakers! Talk about a glowing future! 🌟
But as time went on, worries about the downsides of nuclear power—like radiation risks—made people hesitant to have mini nuclear devices in their pockets. So, the dream of portable nuclear batteries dimmed for everyday gadgets.
However, there's one place where nuclear batteries found their groove: space. 🚀 Thanks to their incredible longevity, they've powered spacecraft on long missions, venturing into the unknown without needing a pit stop.
Now, we're inching closer to bringing nuclear batteries back down to Earth. The technology is advancing, and who knows? Maybe one day soon, we'll be charging our devices once every few decades! But before that happens, there's still that \"tiny\" problem to solve. 😉
Reference(s):
Portable nuclear batteries? We're closer, but there's a small problem
cgtn.com
