Nuclear Alternative for RTG Experiment?

[Arctic Fox]

So, I’ve been thinking that the possibility of obtaining any usable amount of fuel for an RTG experiment is impossible while I’m still within the US borders...

Fine!

I just got another idea this afternoon. Instead of using the heat from the radioactive fuel, how about using the heat from a solar collector?

http://www.livescience.com/technology/041115_solar_dish.html

I’m pretty sure I could compete with the 1050° temp from an actual RTG by building something like this (for the moment).

Comments?

[CharlesP]

How about someone doing the most basic thing like identifying the best cheap metals for making thermocouples. Hopefully something found at the hardware store. I got a 55 gallon drum full of wood on fire here.