Scintillator to generate electricity?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using scintillators to convert gamma rays into electricity, specifically to charge a phone. Participants explore the theoretical application of scintillators in conjunction with solar panels, while addressing safety concerns related to gamma radiation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes using gamma rays and scintillators to generate electricity for charging a phone, suggesting that visible light produced could be directed at a solar panel.
  • Another participant highlights the regulatory and safety issues associated with handling gamma rays, emphasizing the risks of fatal exposure.
  • A later reply questions the practicality of the idea, suggesting that even under safe conditions, the effort may not be worthwhile compared to conventional charging methods.
  • Further, a participant explains that scintillators are effective due to photomultiplier tubes amplifying weak signals, noting that most energy from gamma rays is lost as heat rather than converted to usable energy.
  • It is mentioned that typical photomultiplier tubes operate at high voltages, which would not yield a net energy gain in this scenario.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the safety concerns related to gamma radiation and the impracticality of the proposed method. However, there is no consensus on the theoretical possibility of the idea itself, as some explore the concept while others dismiss it as unfeasible.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on the intensity of gamma rays, the efficiency of energy conversion in scintillators, and the high voltage requirements of photomultiplier tubes. The discussion does not resolve these technical uncertainties.

ryanuser
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Hi, I am doing a high school project based on physics and I wondered if my idea works or not.
So I was thinking to use gamma rays as a source of energy to produce enough current to charge my phone.
My question is that would it be possible to use scintillators (used in photomultipliers in astronomy to decrease the frequency of gamma rays to visible light) so then the visible light can be directed at a solar panel to knock the electrons off the silicon surface so then a current could flow?

The image below might clarify.
ImageUploadedByPhysics Forums1416342249.343575.jpg
 
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In general, any source of gamma rays of such quantity and intensity as what you are looking for would be tightly regulated by national and international laws. Without proper handling of these sources by trained personnel, fatal exposure to gamma rays could result. Radiation of any kind is not something you want to handle casually.
 
Hypothetically would it be possible if this was going to be done under high health and safety conditions (wearing lead gloves and clothing) and in a more equipped lab?
 
ryanuser said:
Hypothetically would it be possible if this was going to be done under high health and safety conditions (wearing lead gloves and clothing) and in a more equipped lab?
possibly, but what's the point ? ... it isn't anything that could be made for common usage
and even in a lab it would be easier, safer and cheaper to use a normal wall charger or other USB source

Dave
 
What Davenn and SteamKing said in regards to safety is very true.

But to entertain the question, even if you had a gamma source of sufficient intensity, you still wouldn't be able to do this. The only reason scintillator detectors are useful is because they have photomultiplier tubes to amplify the incredibly weak signal (on the order of a few hundred photons) to an electrical signal that may be measured. Only a very small fraction of the energy lost by the gamma rays in the scintillator are converted to fluorescence. Most is dissipated through lattice vibrations and heat. Further, a typical photomultiplier tube runs at about 1000 V. So you'd never get net energy out.

ETA: Radiation Detection and Measurement by Glenn F. Knoll has an excellent chapter on scintillator detectors and one on photomultiplier tubes.
 
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