Applied Physics Reviews· 2019Q1· Review
High power direct energy conversion by nuclear batteries
- 113citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2019year
Short summary
Nuclear batteries, which directly convert radioisotope energy to electricity, show potential for specific powers of 1–50 mW/g.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Nuclear batteries can achieve specific powers of 1–50 mW/g.
- TiT2-based devices offer 0.83 mW/g specific power in the short term.
- Am241 offers higher specific power but requires radiation-resistant converters for longer lifetimes.
- Design considerations include radioisotope choice, converter type, and device architecture.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
The literature on direct conversion of radioisotope energy to electricity is reviewed. Considerations of the choice of radioisotope, converter, and device design are discussed. Recommendations for maximum specific power, energy, and lifetime based on available radioisotopes are made. It is found that nuclear batteries have the potential to achieve specific powers of 1–50 mW/g. Devices that utilize the beta emitter titanium tritide (TiT2) as the isotope are found to have the most potential in the short term to meet the combined performance objectives. TiT2 based devices have a specific power of 0.83 mW/g. Higher specific powers are achievable with the alpha emitter Am241 but with significantly reduced operational lifetime. In order to realize the full operational potential of Am241, radiation resistant converter materials will need to be developed.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Applied Physics Reviews, 2019 · DOI ↗
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Field: Nuclear Energy and Engineering
Nuclear Energy and EngineeringEnergy