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hunter

(38,310 posts)
1. Americium is frequently mentioned as a fuel for tiny fission reactors.
Mon Aug 10, 2020, 01:06 PM
Aug 2020

These reactors might be useful as a neutron source for medicine or as power sources for space exploration.

Apparently 20 grams of Americium 242 is all you need for a 10-kW reactor:

https://www.osti.gov/biblio/20804726

Or maybe you could get to mars in two weeks riding this hellfire:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/01/010103073253.htm

Americium is the element used in smoke detectors. One gram is enough to make 3 million smoke detectors.


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