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]

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



random, halfbakery