Project Title:

High-Density, Long-Life, Radionuclide, Voltaic Energy Source

10.09-6000
912001
High-Density, Long-Life, Radionuclide, Voltaic Energy Source
Spire Corporation
One Patriots Park
Bedford
MA
01730-2396
Charles C.
Blatchley
617-275-6000
MSFC
NAS8-39342
215

10.09-6000
912001

Abstract:

High-Density, Long-Life, Radionuclide, Voltaic Energy Source
This project will develop a radioisotope-powered, indium-phosphide voltaic cell that
can achieve energy densities over ten thousand times greater than that of the best
chemical batteries. The power attained in past attempts to develop radioisotope-powered
voltaic cells (beta-voltaic cells) was severely limited because of radiation damage
to the silicon semiconductor material used in them. The marked radiation damage resistance
and annealing properties of indium phosphide remove this fundamental limitation and
permit consideration of high-energy beta and alpha emitters resulting in a cell with
almost no detectable external radiation. Efficiencies are expected to be twice that
of radionuclide-powered thermoelectric generators.
High-efficiency, maximum energy density, and long operating life promise superiority
over other compact power technologies, especially for space applications, cardiac
pacemakers, printed-circuit memory maintenance, and remote instrumentation. These
devices could replace chemical batteries in many settings.
beta cells, semiconductor, radionuclides, space power, batteries, electricity, p-n
junction, energy conversion