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

• 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. He also appears to be able to emit neutron radiation, as some objects that have been exposed to him have become radioactive. Whether he can generate 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. An uncontrolled release of radiation can generate a massive explosion similar to that of a nuclear bomb. In an alternate timeline, such an explosion occured in Kirby Plaza and was powerful enough to destroy most of the skyscrapers in Midtown Manhattan.

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

• 
  Ted's power sear fingerprints into Dr. Robert Fresco's charred bones.
  (Nothing to Hide)
• 
  While at FBI Headquarters, Ted causes a glass of water he is holding to boil...
• 
  At his wife's grave, Ted's power cause the surrounding grass to wither and die.
  (Unexpected)
• 
  Ted starts to lose control of his power after being shot at the Bennet home.
  (Company Man)
• 
  Ted generates an electromagnetic pulse to knock out the power at Primatech Paper Co.
  (.07%)
• 
  Ted uses his power to defrost and then start a car.
  (The Hard Part)
• 
  Later after Ted's demise, Sylar revels in his new power.
  (Landslide)
• 
  Peter glows before he explodes.
  (How to Stop an Exploding Man)

Notes

• Amid Halebi (The Engineer from the unaired pilot and In His Own Image) has this ability.
• While Ted, Peter and Sylar have never been harmed by this ability, Amid's hands had visible radiation damage, as seen in a scene in the unaired pilot.