A radioluminescent nuclear battery using volumetric configuration: 63Ni solution/ZnS:Cu,Al/InGaP

Abstract

Energy dense power sources are critical to the development of compact, remote sensors for terrestrial and space applications. Nuclear batteries using β-emitting radioisotopes possess energy densities 1000 times greater than chemical batteries. Their power generation is a function of β flux saturation point relative to the planar (2D) configuration, β range, and semiconductor converter. An approach to increase power density in a beta-photovoltaic (β-PV) nuclear battery is described. By using volumetric (3D) configuration, the radioisotope, nickel-63 (Ni) in a chloride solution was integrated in a phosphor film (ZnS:Cu,Al) where the β energy is converted into optical energy. The optical energy was converted to electrical energy via an indium gallium phosphate (InGaP) photovoltaic (PV) cell, which was optimized for low light illumination and closely matched to radioluminescence (RL) spectrum. With 15mCi of Ni activity, the 3D configuration energy values surpassed 2D configuration results. The highest total power conversion efficiency (η) of 3D configuration was 0.289% at 200µm compared 0.0638% for 2D configuration at 50µm. The highest electrical power and η for the 3D configuration were 3.35 nW/cm at an activity of 30mCi and 0.289% at an activity of 15mCi, respectively. By using 3D configuration, the interaction space between the radioisotope source and scintillation material increased, allowing for significant electrical energy output, relative to the 2D configuration. These initial results represent a first step to increase nuclear battery power density from microwatts to milliwatts per 1000cm with the implementation of higher energy β sources.

Mn2+ Induced Significant Improvement and Robust Stability of Radioluminescence in Cs3Cu2I5 for High Performance Nuclear Battery

“…In the past decade, investigations on the design of the device structure , [4][5][6] application of various scintillators (organic or inorganic ones), 7 effect and optimization of physical parameters, [8][9][10] and coupling between scintillators and PVDs have been carried out to improve the NB e ciency. 11 Despite the power output and e ciency of NBs have been improved signi cantly, the scintillators employed in these researches were mainly conventional transition or rare earth metal doped phosphors, 7,12,13 which typically possess short emission wavelength or low light yield (LY).…”

In‐Depth Analysis of the Internal Energy Conversion of Nuclear Batteries and Radiation Degradation of Key Materials

“…Its electrical property has been enhanced by matching the external quantum efficiency (EQE) with the radioluminescence spectrum, [ 25 ] and the mixing of the liquid radioisotope source and fluorescent materials is also a good idea. [ 26 ] However, its experimental η remains far from the calculated theoretical value of 7%, [ 27 ] radiation energy to light energy is about 20%, [ 28 ] light energy to electricity is about 35%. [ 29 ] Studies have explored the performance of some photovoltaic units under low light, such as silicon cells, [ 30 ] organic photovoltaics, [ 31 ] III–V semiconductor photovoltaics, [ 32 ] and thin‐film CdTe/CdS solar cells.…”

Radioluminescent nuclear battery containing CsPbBr 3 quantum dots: Application of a novel wave‐shifting agent

“…The specific research work on RL nuclear battery mainly includes selecting energy exchange materials, adjusting physical parameters, optimizing structural design, and analyzing service environment . The results show that the output performance of nuclear battery can be effectively improved by choosing excellent fluorescent and semiconductor energy conversion materials, optimizing structural design, and improving the service environment of nuclear battery.…”