Usable energy from alpha particles?

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SUMMARY

Usable energy can be extracted from alpha particles through Direct Conversion methods, leveraging their kinetic energy. The effectiveness of this energy extraction depends on the vector distribution of that kinetic energy. Sources of alpha particles discussed include ambient and cosmic radiation, though the low flux of these sources significantly limits practical energy harvesting. Techniques such as those outlined in the referenced articles provide insights into potential methods for energy extraction.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Direct Conversion energy extraction techniques
  • Familiarity with kinetic energy vector distribution
  • Knowledge of ambient and cosmic radiation sources
  • Basic principles of energy harvesting technologies
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Direct Conversion methods for energy extraction from charged particles
  • Explore the principles of kinetic energy vector distribution in particle physics
  • Investigate the feasibility of energy harvesting from ambient radiation sources
  • Study the applications of radioisotope thermoelectric generators
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Physicists, energy researchers, and engineers interested in alternative energy sources and the potential of harvesting energy from radiation.

garyTheSnail
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TL;DR
Usable energy from alpha particles?
Please excuse my physics ignorance.
Can usable energy be extracted from alpha particles? Perhaps in a manner similar to a photovoltaic panel producing power when exposed to light?
Thank you.
 
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Since they are charged particles, you may be able to use Direct Conversion to extract electrical energy from their kinetic energy, depending on the vector distribution of that kinetic energy. What is the source of your alpha particles?

For other vector distributions of the KE, there are other techniques:

https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.872124

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230911390_Utility_of_extracting_alpha_particle_energy_by_waves
 
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Thank you for the replies and links. The source of the alpha particles is ambient or cosmic radiation.
 
garyTheSnail said:
Thank you for the replies and links. The source of the alpha particles is ambient or cosmic radiation.
Ah, so very low flux, right? Ambient will be isotropic and cosmic will be slightly non-isotropic, but with such low fluxes it's hard to see much energy harvesting from either. Is that what you are thinking of calculating?
 
There are approximately zero alphas in cosmic rays. There are only incrementally more than that in the ambient environment.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
There are approximately zero alphas in cosmic rays. There are only incrementally more than that in the ambient environment.
But to how many significant figures? :wink:
 

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