Thermal Batteries Using Polonium-210.  (Information Report)

Jordan, K.C.; Birden, J.H.

doi:10.2172/4406897

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…The first RTG was developed by Mound Laboratories in 1954 [96]. The heat source consisted of a 1-cm diameter sphere containing 57 Ci (1.8 Wt) of 210Po inside a nickel-coated steel capsule, all in a Lucite container.…”

Section: Radioisotope Heat Sourcementioning

confidence: 99%

A Review on Thermoelectric Generators: Progress and Applications

Zoui

Bentouba

Stocholm³

et al. 2020

Energies

240

108

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A thermoelectric effect is a physical phenomenon consisting of the direct conversion of heat into electrical energy (Seebeck effect) or inversely from electrical current into heat (Peltier effect) without moving mechanical parts. The low efficiency of thermoelectric devices has limited their applications to certain areas, such as refrigeration, heat recovery, power generation and renewable energy. However, for specific applications like space probes, laboratory equipment and medical applications, where cost and efficiency are not as important as availability, reliability and predictability, thermoelectricity offers noteworthy potential. The challenge of making thermoelectricity a future leader in waste heat recovery and renewable energy is intensified by the integration of nanotechnology. In this review, state-of-the-art thermoelectric generators, applications and recent progress are reported. Fundamental knowledge of the thermoelectric effect, basic laws, and parameters affecting the efficiency of conventional and new thermoelectric materials are discussed. The applications of thermoelectricity are grouped into three main domains. The first group deals with the use of heat emitted from a radioisotope to supply electricity to various devices. In this group, space exploration was the only application for which thermoelectricity was successful. In the second group, a natural heat source could prove useful for producing electricity, but as thermoelectricity is still at an initial phase because of low conversion efficiency, applications are still at laboratory level. The third group is progressing at a high speed, mainly because the investigations are funded by governments and/or car manufacturers, with the final aim of reducing vehicle fuel consumption and ultimately mitigating the effect of greenhouse gas emissions.

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Section: Radioisotope Heat Sourcementioning

confidence: 99%

A Review on Thermoelectric Generators: Progress and Applications

Zoui

Bentouba

Stocholm³

et al. 2020

Energies

240

108

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The most common static conversion systems are the Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators, firstly conceived in 1954 by Jordan and Birden, who used chromelconstantan thermocouples and 210 Po as heat source. 25 The RTGs convert directly heat into electricity utilizing the Seebeck effect and have demonstrated numerous advantages over other types of power supplies in terms of reliability, operational lifetimes and environmental resilience.…”

Section: Static Conversion Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nuclear batteries: Current context and near‐term expectations

Terranova

2022

Intl J of Energy Research

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Summary The batteries fuelled by radio‐isotopes have represented a significant technological solution for planetary science and exploration missions since the beginning of the space era. Now emerging researches and new concepts are making the nuclear batteries attractive also for relevant terrestrial applications. The present survey aims to summarize the evolution of technical programmes and to examine the multidisciplinary skills required to accelerate the transition of nuclear batteries from laboratory prototypes to fully functional systems.

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“…A second "thermal battery" was built with more Po-210, producing 9.4 mWe. Jordan and Birden concluded that the Po-210 "thermal battery" would have about ten times the energy of ordinary dry cells of the same mass (Jordan and Birden, 1954). (Corliss and Harvey, 1964).The heat source consisted of a 1-cm-diameter sphere of 57 Ci (1.8 Wt) of 210 Po inside a capsule of nickel-coated cold-rolled steel all inside a container of Lucite.…”

Section: Fig 1 Cutaway View Of a Radioisotope Power Source (Rps) (Imentioning

confidence: 99%