Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Cold Fission

["Richard Gordon" <lrrg@wantree.com.au>]

Shin and group,
                       to give you an idea of the level of safety that is
possible with nuclear batteries('cold fission'), they were and possibly
still are used in pelvis-mounted pace-makers. This is a device that is
actually mounted INSIDE you body. Since this kind of device was deemed safe
for introduction to the human body by physicians the  world over, I see no
reason that it could not be introduced into a submarine. In a submarine you
have the opportunity to have a fair bit of heavy shielding which would make
this device even safer.

There must be a company out there that would have the expertise to produce a
device like this. Despite the objections of some of PSUBS more traditionally
minded subscribers, this kind of system would make an excellent power source
for a sub of any kind, big or small. Power generation of this sort may also
be a possible use for radioactive waste. All you need is something that
emits ionizing radiation. Something to think about?

Rich
----- Original Message -----
From: nathan hatcher <psub_only_temporary@hotmail.com>
To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2001 10:34 AM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Cold Fission


>   A few years ago (sometime after 1996) I remember reading an article
about
> an apparatus that worked like a solar cell, using radiation instead of
> light.  The idea being a battery that never had to be recharged and had no
> moving parts.  The article also mentioned that the same radioactive
> substance used in smoke alarms could be used to power such a "solar cell"
> safely.
>   Batteries like these have been used on deep space probes before, but
> no-one likes the idea of strapping radioactive batteries to the top of a
> rocket and launching them all around the planet (there is always the
threat
> of a giant explosion and lots of radioactive debris blowing through the
> atmosphere) .  A submarine would be an ideal vehicle for radioactive
> systems, you could use the water as radiation shielding.  When needing to
> repair or remove the power system, you could transfer the battery pod to a
> shielded container underwater (with the aid of a "ten foot pole") ,this
way,
> the radiation shielding stays on shore, leaving your sub to carry less
mass.
>   The battery pod could be suspended several feet from the sub and
encircled
> in a cage.  The cage allows the water used as shielding to slip past the
sub
> when moving (you don't have to take your shielding with you) .  If
"Murphy"
> can't swim then we shouldn't need shielding, as all the energy will be
> absorbed by the "solar cells" (assuming 100% efficiency) .  In case the
> "solar cell" pod is cracked/damaged, then the cage would stop anything
> coming in too close to the radiation and allow the water to act as
> shielding.
>   I would love to have an everlasting battery on my sub, but of the
systems
> I am familiar with, too much radioactive material is required.  I
personally
> just don't want the can I spend all my free time in to be glowing.
However,
> I would consider a small version used for recharging the batteries or
> whatever.  I like the idea, and I think it could be done safely, I just
> don't trust myself around large amounts of radiation.
>
>   If you want details about these "solar cells" I'm afraid i've looked and
> looked and cannot find the article.  The best bet would be to check into
the
> batteries for the Voyager space probes.  They use more exotic isotopes but
> the theory is the same, I think.  Any flames can be sent to me off-list,
> these are my own opinions/dreams and I have no facts with which to retort.
>
>
>
>
>   By the way, as this is my first posting, I'm 22 years old living in
> Jackson Tennessee (USA).  I have a Yamaha V-star 650 (a touring style
> motorcycle) .  My true love is space, and the systems of a 1-atmosphere
sub
> are the perfect place to learn about self-sustained life support systems
and
> design.  I have yet to build my first sub, but it will be no show-stopper
> when it comes.  My goal on this list is to hear new ideas.
>
>                 Shin
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