Induced radioactivity

Induced radioactivity
In a secluded cabin, Ted harnesses his power by making fireballs in his hands.
Originally held by:	Theodore Sprague
Absorbed by:	Peter Petrelli, Sylar
Ability to:	Emit radiation
Examples of induced radioactivity

Induced radioactivity is the ability to emit radiation and/or induce radioactive properties into objects and people.

Characters

• The Engineer from the unaired pilot, In His Own Image has this ability.
• Ted Sprague was the first character in normal continuity to have this ability.
• Peter Petrelli has absorbed this ability.
• Sylar has stolen this ability.

Limits

Ted has limited control over his ability to emit radiation. When agitated, he appears to emit radiation unintentionally. This radiation can be harmful to people in his vicinity. His control has improved with practice, and he seems to be able to emit radiation on purpose, but he apparently cannot consistently prevent himself from emitting radiation, especially if angry or injured.

Ted can apparently emit a broad spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, although he has only a limited understanding of the physics involved. He can not choose specifically whether to emit microwaves or gamma rays, but he can choose whether to radiate "hot" energy or "bright" energy. Whether he can generate particle radiation (alpha rays or beta rays) is unknown.

At close range, Ted can produce enough radiation to bring a glass of water to a boil or melt a brass door lock in just a few seconds. His uncontrolled emissions can set fire to common construction materials from several meters away. He is also capable of emitting an electromagnetic pulse strong enough to disable electronics throughout a large building.

Ted appears to be unharmed by his own radioactive emissions. He has caused the deaths of others (reducing people to skeletal remains) during at least two escapes, but never appeared affected himself. Whether this immunity applies to radiation from other sources is unknown.

Selected Examples

• The Engineer boils a glass of water. (In His Own Image)
• Ted's radiation production causes his wife to develop cancer. (Nothing to Hide, How Do You Stop an Exploding Man?, Part 1)
• Ted's home shows signs of high-intensity radiation exposure. (Nothing to Hide)
• Ted's powers sear fingerprints into Dr. Robert Fresco's charred bones. (Nothing to Hide)
• Ted causes radiation burns on a nurse's arm. (Nothing to Hide)
• While at FBI Headquarters, Ted causes a glass of water he is holding to boil. (Seven Minutes to Midnight)
• Ted escapes FBI custody by blowing up a vehicle. (Seven Minutes to Midnight, How Do You Stop an Exploding Man?, Part 1)
• Ted practices harnessing his powers by creating small explosions in each hand. (Godsend)
• Ted's power kills grass and plants around his wife's grave. (Unexpected)
• Ted melts a door lock to gain access to the Bennet home, burns Claire, and severely damages the house. (Company Man)
• Ted generates an electromagnetic pulse to knock out the power at Primatech Paper Co. (.07%)

Gallery

• 
  A hostage nurse gets burned.
• 
  Ted dramatically boils water.
• 
  Ted uses his powers to escape Audrey and the FBI.
• 
  At his wife's grave, Ted's powers cause the surrounding grass to wither and die.
• 
  Ted starts to lose control of his powers after being shot.
• 
  Ted unleashes an electromagnetic pulse.
• 
  Ted uses his power to hotwire a car.
• 
  Sylar revels in Ted's stolen power.