Here’s a neat little gadget that is sure to satisfy your need for something cool with an interesting story attached…a tritium keychain. You can find them for about $10 on DealExtreme. You might be wondering what’s so special about it; well I’m going to tell you.

See the tiny little rod in the middle of the clear plastic casing? That is tritium, which according to Wikipedia “is widely used in nuclear weapons for boosting a fission bomb or the fission primary of a thermonuclear weapon.”

Tritium also has other, more mundane uses, because the “emitted electrons from small amounts of tritium cause phosphors to glow so as to make self-powered lighting devices called trasers which are now used in watches and exit signs. It is also used in certain countries to make glowing keychains, and compasses. In recent years, the same process has been used to make self-illuminating gun sights for firearms. These take the place of radium, which can cause bone cancer. These uses of radium have been banned in most countries for decades.”

Well, obviously this is one of those “glowing keychains”, and it should glow green for up to ten years, according the the vendor.

Pretty, isn’t it?

The Mini-Tritium Glowing Keychain:

- is completely contained and self-powered
- glows continuously for 10 years (even in 10 years of complete darkness)
- has a super compact design
- has an ultra bright green glow
- is perfect for tagging zippers (on tents, bags, etc), tying on keychains, flashlights, etc

You can buy yours here.

Thanks Mike!