Ionised Air Battery: Can a Potential Difference Exist?

[P K Pillai]

Radioactive material ionises the air around it.
Carbon nano tubes have an extremely large surface area, & could possibly "store" the ionised charge.
If a volume of carbon nano tubes is wrapped around a core of insulated radioactive material, can a potential difference exist between the wrapping & the core?

 

[etudiant]

Charge effects are challenging to manage, especially within a short radius of a radioactive core.
There have been efforts to harness radioactivity to create electric power directly by using the radiation to excite a phosphor. The emitted light then drives solar cells which produce electric power. The overall efficiency here is not high, but the setup is reasonably safe and robust.

 

[raining Pete]

Yes, it is possible for a potential difference to exist between the wrapping of carbon nano tubes and the core of insulated radioactive material. This is because the ionised air around the radioactive material can transfer its charge to the carbon nano tubes, creating a buildup of charge on the surface. This buildup of charge can then create a potential difference between the wrapping and the core. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of this setup would depend on the specific properties of the carbon nano tubes and the radioactive material, as well as the conditions of the surrounding environment. Further research and experimentation would be needed to determine the feasibility and potential applications of this concept.