Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'

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Bicycle Pump Clock
Cuppa Clock
Descending Clock
Domestic power outage clock
Free Energy Clock
Plutonium Watch
Radiometer Clock
Self powered pendulum clock.
Sterling Engine Clock
Two battery compartments

product:clock: power source

Self powered pendulum clock.

Involves Plutonium, of course.

(+6)

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against]

A pendulum clock with a plutonium mass at the end of the pendulum. When the pendulum swings upwards, the plutonium mass comes into contact with another plutonium mass large enough to cause a critical mass, and large release of energy. The thermal energy is harnessed to power the clock. Beta radiation strikes a phosphor screen to light the face of the clock for many, many years.

Inspired by mouseposture's comment on the Nukem's Cradle idea.

I like radiation.

—	DIYMatt, Sep 21 2011

Nukem's Cradle Nukem_27s_20Cradle
Like this, but a clock. [DIYMatt, Sep 21 2011]

Did someone say energy standard? Watt-backed_20money
I am shameless. [Voice, Sep 25 2011]

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Apart from the massive shielding required to contain the neutron pulses, the mechanism itself would be reasonably compact.

—	8th of 7, Sep 21 2011

If unranium was named after Uranus, then plutonium was named after Pluto...and if Pluto is no longer a planet...is plutonium no longer an element?

(just saying)

—	xandram, Sep 21 2011

(Preapology for predictable poor joke)

Uranium was not named after my anus - speak for yourself.

And everyone knows Pluto is a dog.

Coat - gone..

—	Twizz, Sep 21 2011

Run fast, [Twizz], those tumbleweeds are catching up on you... @ .......... @ .........

—	8th of 7, Sep 21 2011

//Uranium was not named after my anus - speak for yourself.// Some people think the sun shines out of their ass, but [Twizz] is a modest sort: they think it's Cherenkov radiation.

—	mouseposture, Sep 21 2011

Forgive me, since this topic is way out of my league, but wouldn't repeated near-critical events lead to accelerated degradation, making the clock run slower and slower as time went on?

—	Alterother, Sep 22 2011

I'm banking on the energy surplus being so high that the clock can run for years regardless of degredation.

—	DIYMatt, Sep 22 2011

Aren't there new regulations against that sort of banking?

—	pertinax, Sep 22 2011

Yeah, I don't know if we want to put our economy on the "energy standard"-- what happens if the lights go out?

—	Alterother, Sep 22 2011

Fear not; the Democrats will increase taxes, then print lots and lots of banknotes that can be burnt for warmth and light.

—	8th of 7, Sep 22 2011

Oh, well, I'll be fine, then.

—	Alterother, Sep 22 2011

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