Re:Nuclear-Powered Cardiac Pacemakers
by MichaelCollins on Friday September 02, 2022 @03:35PM
(#32694907)
> There's not a miniature nuclear reactor in there, it's just a RTG,
I believe these are not RTGs (radioisotope thermoelectric generators.) Rather they use radiovoltaic conversion, probably alphavoltaic conversion judging by the use of Pu-238. Such devices convert alpha or beta radiation directly to electricity using semiconductors, not unlike photovoltaic cells.
But your point still holds, these atomic batteries produce a tiny amount of power.
I believe these are not RTGs (radioisotope thermoelectric generators.) Rather they use radiovoltaic conversion, probably alphavoltaic conversion judging by the use of Pu-238. Such devices convert alpha or beta radiation directly to electricity using semiconductors, not unlike photovoltaic cells.
But your point still holds, these atomic batteries produce a tiny amount of power.