Betavoltaic power sources for transportation applications

摘要

A betavoltaic power source for transportation devices and applications is disclosed, wherein the device having a stacked configuration of isotope layers and energy conversion layers. The isotope layers have a half-life of between about 0.5 years and about 5 years and generate radiation with energy in the range from about 15 keV to about 200 keV. The betavoltaic power source is configured to provide sufficient power to operate the transportation device over its useful lifetime.

主权项

1. A betavoltaic power source that generates electrical energy for a transportation device, comprising:
a plurality of isotope layers, each isotope layer including an isotope that emits radiation having energy, and wherein each isotope in the isotope layers is selected from the group of isotopes comprising: (3)H, (194)Os, (228)Ra, (155)Eu, (147)Pm, (171)Tm, (172)Hf, (179)Ta, (109)Cde, (106)Ru, (68)Ge, (195)Au, (45)Ca, (139)Ce and (181)W; and a plurality of energy conversion layers interposed between some or all the isotope layers and that receive and convert the energy from the radiation into the electrical energy to power the transportation device, wherein the plurality of isotope layers and the plurality of energy conversion layers define a stack having a perimeter; a plurality of continuous cooling conduits defined by thermally conducting rods that reside inboard of the perimeter and that pass through the stack so that heat generated within the stack is drawn out of the stack through ends of the rods; and wherein the amount of electrical energy generated is at least 100 W.