So the depleted nuclear fuel cannot be used to heat the reactor, but still has plenty of energy in the form of radiation. Why this radiation cannot be used or eliminated by trapping the neutrons from it and produce heat?
In: Physics
As already mentioned, it is being done in various ways. I think this gives a good overview:
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_battery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_battery)
Regarding RTGs: Their big advantage over the usual reactors is mobility and size. This however means that you want to use fuel that has a very high energy density. So you can fit it onto a space probe for example.
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