tiny atomic battery
:: power supply
While electronic circuits and nanomachines grow ever smaller, batteries to power them
remain huge by comparison, as well as short-lived. But now Cornell University researchers have
built a microscopic device that could supply power for decades to remote sensors or implantable
medical devices by drawing energy from a radioactive isotope. The device converts the energy
stored in the radioactive material directly into motion. It could directly move the parts of
a tiny machine or could generate electricity in a form more useful for many circuits than has
been possible with earlier devices.
The prototype is the first MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) version of a larger device.
Amil Lal, Hui Li and Hang Guo are now building and testing practical sensors and power supplies
based on the concept. The prototype shown in August was gigantic by comparison with the latest
versions. An entire device, including a vacuum enclosure, could be made to fit in less than one
cubic millimeter. >from *Tiny
atomic battery developed at Cornell could run for decades unattended, powering sensors or machines*
related context
> What is MEMS Technology?
> fuel
cell laptop computer by 2004. october 16, 2002
> nanoparticles
used in solar energy conversion. august 9, 2002
> bubble fusion : sound-induced
nuclear fusion. march 13, 2002
> microbes to produce
power: electricity from organic matter. january 22, 2002
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