radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG)

Introduction

The energy of radioactive emissions is captured as heat, some of which is converted to electricity with thermocouples. Plutonium-238 is generally preferred over Strontium-90 because of its longer 1/2life & need for less shielding.

Uses

• power sources in space missions & remote outposts in polar regions

More general terms

• device (medical device)