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To: John M Connolly who wrote (2713)	6/6/1998 10:21:00 AM
From: Dr. Ezzat G. Bakhoum	Respond to of 5827

Yes, these are two different things. A RTG (radioisotope thermoelectric generator) is an actual generator that is used in the space programs. It is simply a system that converts the heat generated from a mass of plutonium dioxide directly into electricity by means of an array of thermocouples (the same device that gives you an indication of temperature in your digital thermometer). No rocket science, but there are three practical difficulties in using RTGs for electric vehicles: 1. The power generated is limited to 500W-1KW. You need at least 200 times as much power to propel a vehicle! 2. The cost of a RTG is enormous! In fact, Westinghouse, after several years of research, abandoned the idea of using thermoelectric generators in its nuclear reactors because of the cost. 3. The issue remains of what to do with all those tons of nuclear waste which will be in public hands? So, unless somebody can figure a solution for all those issues, I don't see any possible application of RTGs in sight. regards..