Question

The Voyager space probes launched in the 1970s use thermoelectric generation from plutonium sources to generate ~100W of power to keep the probes running when they go very far from the sun. Some small devices have used other sources and other conversion mechanisms to prove power for very low power applications like pacemakers where long lasting power that doesn't need to be replaced is an advantage.But recent claims suggest a breakthrough where devices powered by carbon-14 could replace the batteries in mobile phones (Nano diamond Batteries web page highlights stories claiming their produces could "revolutionise mobile phone batteries"). These claims seem like uncritical hype but should be easy to check. Ignoring engineering issues (like conversion efficiency) how does the energy density of a power source based on C-14 compare to a mobile phone battery?

Answer 1

The energy density of a power source based on C-14 can be compared to a mobile phone battery by considering the amount of energy each source can provide per unit of volume or mass. Mobile phone batteries typically have an energy density of around 150-200 Wh/kg, while a power source based on C-14 could potentially have a much higher energy density. The specific energy density of a C-14 power source would depend on the conversion efficiency of the device.

Step-by-step explanation:

The energy density of a power source based on C-14 can be compared to a mobile phone battery by considering the amount of energy each source can provide per unit of volume or mass. Energy density is usually expressed in terms of watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) or watt-hours per liter (Wh/L). Mobile phone batteries typically have an energy density of around 150-200 Wh/kg, while a power source based on C-14 could potentially have a much higher energy density. However, it is important to note that the specific energy density of a C-14 power source would depend on the conversion efficiency of the device.