Promethium batteries

Promethium produces beta rays (high-energy electrons). These beta rays are used to produce nuclear-powered batteries to provide electricity for spacecraft, as well as long-term usage for up to five years in regions without electricity. It also could be used as a source of portable X-rays, as a gauge to measure the thickness of various materials, and to produce special lasers that can communicate with submarines. 

Promethium has very limited applications. It is used in phosphor hghts to produce signals. Also, it is used as a beta particle source for thickness gages, nuclear batteries, and portable x-ray units. 

Most of the chemical elements are metals and many of them are little used some are so rare that only the man-made variety exists on earth, and that applies to the radioactive elements beyond uranium, which is element number 92 in the periodic table. It is also true for lighter elements such as technetium (element 43) and promethium (element 61). Yet such elements have their uses technetium in medical diagnostics, promethium in miniature batteries for pacemakers. Hopefully, most people will never need to encounter either metal, but some radioactive metals should be a part of everyone s life and especially... 

Promethium 61 Pm (All isotopes are radioactive and synthetically prepared.) Miniature batteries for harsh environments... 

Promethium has limited uses. It can be used as a source of power. The radiation it gives off provides energy, similar to that from a battery. A promethium battery can be used in places where other kinds of batteries would be too heavy or large to use, as on satellites or space probes. Such batteries are far too expensive for common use, however. 

Over the years, several different battery technologies have been tried. Including mercury-zinc, rechargeable silver-modified-mercuric-oxide-zinc, rechargeable nickel-cadmium, radioactive plutonium or promethium, and lithium with a variety of different cathodes. Lithium-cupric-sulfide and... 

As a consequence of its radioactivity great care is required when handling the element Several promethium compounds have been prepared but very little is known about the properties of the metal itself The isotope Pm is, however, commercially available and has been tested in miniature batteries for guided missiles. The useful... 

The isotope Pm is commercially available and has found some use. Its emission of low-energy 3-particles is used industrially to measure the thickness of strip steel and paper. To some extent it is also used in miniature batteries with a useful hfe of about five years. These have been tested for such diverse purposes as pacemakers and guided missiles. A paint containing Pm and a material that fluoresces with a bluish-green color after being hit by the P-particles may be used for hour hands and dials in watches. Promethium has replaced radium for reasons of health. 

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