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May 03, 2019
The National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) of the United Kingdom and the University of Leicester have produced usable electricity from the chemical element americium, which it considers a world first. This achievement is seen as a step towards the potential use of americium in space batteries, which could be used to power future space missions for 400 years.
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An image of NNL video on the use of americium to produce electricity (Image: NNL)
Americium is an element not found in nature, but that is produced by the radioactive decay of plutonium – which is itself produced during the operation of nuclear reactors. A NNL-led team extracted americium from some plutonium stocks in the UK and used the heat generated by this highly radioactive material to generate an electric current, which then ignited a small light bulb, all in one area. specially protected from the NNL center. Laboratory of Cumbria, England.
Space batteries are sources of energy for space probes that would use the heat of americium pellets to power sensors and transmitters, while the probes go into the deep space where d & # 39; Other sources of energy, such as solar panels, will no longer work, said NNL. In this way, such probes can continue to send images and vital data to Earth for several decades, much longer than it would otherwise be possible.
This breakthrough means a potential use of americium in radioisotope electrical systems for missions that would use the heat produced by americium pellets to propel spacecraft to distant spaces or harsh environments on surfaces. planetary systems where other energy sources, such as solar panels, no longer work. According to NNL, such space missions can continue to send images and vital data to Earth for several decades, much longer than it would otherwise be possible.
Science Minister Chris Skidmore said, "This remarkable breakthrough resembles a sci-fi film, but it is a shining testimony of our leading scientific and academic community and its commitment to keeping the United Kingdom in the leading edge of technological developments and space research to meet energy needs in challenging environments, it is on the basis of such discoveries that we can create the highly skilled jobs of the future, supported by our modern industrial strategy and by the record level of government investment in R & D. "
The technical program to achieve this world premiere has been ongoing for several years, with financial support from the European Space Agency (ESA), and has allowed NNL to work closely with the University of Leicester. The work of European Thermodynamics Ltd, which contributed to the development of the thermoelectric generating unit, was an essential element of this collaboration, as was the support of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, which authorized the use of the thermoelectric generator unit. plutonium from UK stocks under its responsibility.
Richard Ambrosi, professor of space instrumentation and space nuclear energy systems at the University of Leicester, said: "In order to push the boundaries of space exploration, innovations in the field of energy production, robotics, autonomous vehicles and advanced instrumentation are needed.Power sources of radioisotopes are an important technology for future European space exploration missions, as their use would result in better spacecraft and probes capable of accessing distant, cold, obscure and inhospitable environments, and is an important step in achieving these goals. "
Tim Tinsley, Account Manager for Work at NNL, said: "Seeing this light bulb is the culmination of a large number of specialized technical work being done by the NNL and Leicester teams, working in collaboration with other organizations such as ESA and UK Space, NNL's expertise in the processing and processing of americium in our unique laboratory facilities complements the capabilities of the University of Leicester in the development of radioisotope power systems It is good to think that americium can be used in this way, thus recycling the industry into a major asset in another. "
Although NNL can not be 100% sure that this is the first time this feat is a world first, it thinks it's the first time that the heat of americium is used to generate heat. Electricity, said Tinsley.
"You need access to americium, which is not easy.The current technology uses Pu238 instead, which is very difficult and very expensive to produce," he said. -he declares. World nuclear news.
NNL has expressed interest in space agencies, with the exception of ESA, which wants the system to be ready to feed a lunar mission over the next decade. There is also interest in applications on the planet where an energy source that can last for hundreds of years has advantages, he said, adding that this could be an interesting commercial and export opportunity for the world. United Kingdom.
NNL spokesman Adrian Bull added, "Some current probes use an isotope of plutonium for this purpose – but they are becoming increasingly rare.This method of using americium takes some something that is generally considered a problem and makes it an asset.Our work is funded by the European Space Agency and they are interested in using the approach of americium for future European space missions. "
Plutonium is not recycled, Tinsley noted. "We are" cleaning up "americium, which would have been a waste.With enough applications, all British plutonium could be" cleaned up "from americium.Refered plutonium is in better shape. conditions, ready to be stored or reused as nuclear fuel ".
Bull added: "The americium contained in the plutonium is potentially a problem to reuse plutonium as a new fuel.When americium extraction of the old plutonium stocks, we end up both with separate americium and plutonium "cleaner." use in the fuel cycle, so it's a win-win. "
Keith Stephenson, ESA's program manager for the works, said the "unmatched energy density" of nuclear power sources allowed for a whole series of missions that would otherwise be impossible. "This successful collaboration between the nuclear and space sectors has created a whole new capacity for Europe and opens the door to an ambitious and exciting exploration future for our solar system," he said.
NNL has produced a short film to mark this technical technical step, which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/a3wqv27ftr4
Research and writing by World Nuclear News
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