Nuclear Battery Research Articles

A 90SrHfO3-based betavoltaic/beta-photovoltaic dual-effect integrated nuclear battery

In this paper, the secondary conversion idea is used to reduce the self-absorption effect of the radioactive source by combining the radioactive source with the scintillation material, so as to enhance the energy conversion efficiency of the battery. A theoretical model of a dual-effect integrated nuclear battery based on 90SrHfO3 doped with Ce is proposed. The emission photon and electron spectra of the β-luminescent integrated radioactive source 90SrHfO3 have been calculated by GEANT4. The average outgoing electron energy of SrHfO3 was calculated, and the thickness of the energy reducing material was determined. The effect of structural parameters of GaAs materials on the dual-effect integrated nuclear battery was analyzed to obtain the optimal output performance according to theoretical calculation. From the perspective of conversion efficiency, the activity density and thickness of 90SrHfO3 are determined to be 1.6 Ci/cm2 and 53.6 μm. At this time, the thickness of SrHfO3 is 1.28 mm. The total maximum output power density of the optimized dual-effect integrated nuclear battery is 9.31 μ W/cm2, and the energy conversion efficiency is 0.18 %. At this point, the doping concentrations of GaAs are Na = 1.26 × 1017 cm−3 and Nd = 6.31 × 1018 cm−3, and xj is 0.05 μm. Compared with nonintegrated batteries, the output performance is significantly improved.

Performance study of GaN-based betavoltaic nuclear batteries with 3D interfaces

This study presents a design of a 3D interface simulation model featuring an inverted pyramid structure. Our objective is to forecast the performance of GaN-based betavoltaic nuclear batteries with the PN junction 3D interface structures comparing a practical machining process. Initially, we computed the electron-hole pairs (EHPs) generation rate in GaN materials irradiated by both 63Ni and 147Pm sources using Geant4. Furthermore, we employed COMSOL Multiphysics, a finite element analysis software, to simulate the EHPs transport phenomena within the battery and investigate the influence of structural parameters on the output performance. Despite maintaining thicknesses of the P- and N-regions and consistent doping concentrations (Hp-GaN, Hn-GaN, Na, and Nd) as constants, the simulation results revealed notable disparities in the short-circuit current density (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc), and maximum output power density (Pmax) among batteries irradiated with various radioactive sources. Subsequently, we investigated the output performance of the nuclear battery by altering parameters such as the number of inverted pyramid structures, junction depth, and type of radioactive source. Our investigation revealed that selecting 63Ni as the radioactive source, with Na at 1017 cm−3, Nd at 1014 cm−3, a junction depth of 0.1 μm, and inverted pyramid structures of 25, resulted in the following battery performance parameters: a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 0.648 μA/cm2, an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 2.3481 V, and a maximum output power density (Pmax) of 1.2949 μW/cm2. Substituting the radioactive source with 147Pm, the average short-circuit current density, Jsc, increased to 56.865 μA/cm2, and the maximum output power density, Pmax, increased to 94.975 μW/cm2, It's a significant enhancement in output performance.

Effect of Eu Ions Concentration in Y2O3-Based Transparent Ceramics on the Electron Irradiation Induced Luminescence and Damage

Eu3+-doped Y2O3-based luminescent materials can be used as a scintillator for electron or high energy β-ray irradiation, which are essential for applications such as electron microscopy and nuclear batteries. Therefore, it is essential to understand their defect mechanisms and to develop materials with excellent properties. In this paper, Y2O3-based transparent ceramics with different Eu3+ doping concentrations were prepared by solid-state reactive vacuum sintering. This series of transparent ceramic samples exhibits strong red emission under electron beam excitation at the keV level. However, color change appears after the high-energy electron irradiation due to the capture of electrons by the traps in the Y2O3 lattice. Optical transmittance, laser-excited luminescence, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and other analyses indicated that the traps, or the color change, mainly originate from the residual oxygen vacancies, which can be suppressed by high Eu doping. Seen from the cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra, higher doping concentrations of Eu3+ showed stronger resistance to electron irradiation damage, but also resulted in lower emissions due to concentration quenching. Therefore, 10% doping of Eu was selected in this work to keep the high emission intensity and strong radiation resistance both. This work helps to enhance the understanding of defect formation mechanisms in the Y2O3 matrix and will be of benefit for the modification of scintillation properties for functional materials systems.

Incorporating Radioactive Decay Batteries into the USA's Energy Grid: Solutions for Winter Power Challenges

This paper explores the integration of radioactive decay batteries into the USA's energy grid as a strategic solution for addressing winter power challenges. Radioactive decay batteries, leveraging isotopes such as tritium or americium-241, offer significant advantages over traditional fission and fusion-based nuclear batteries. Their design inherently ensures enhanced durability, providing long-lasting energy outputs that can span several decades with minimal maintenance. Unlike conventional nuclear reactors, these batteries operate safely outside a reactor environment, significantly reducing the risks associated with nuclear power generation. This operational safety is further augmented by the relatively low radiation levels they emit, making them viable for diverse applications, including residential, commercial, and remote off-grid systems. The implementation of these batteries promises a stable and reliable energy supply during winter months when energy demands peak, mitigating the risk of power outages and enhancing the resilience of the energy grid. This study examines the potential deployment strategies, technical feasibility, and regulatory considerations necessary to incorporate radioactive decay batteries effectively into the USA's energy infrastructure, positioning them as a transformative technology for sustainable and reliable winter energy solutions.

Preparation and Electrical Performance Analysis of a GaAs‐Based Tritium Battery

A nuclear battery is a promising candidate for small power supply sources in the military and commercial fields, but its output power and energy conversion efficiency need to be improved. This paper mainly describes a design, preparation, and electrical performance analysis of a GaAs-based tritium battery. The design of the tritium battery uses a multistage process with Monte Carlo and Matlab simulations. A titanium tritide source was prepared by a high-temperature tritium absorption device, and a GaAs semiconductor transducer was developed using a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition method. The D/Ti ratio and T/Ti ratio of the deuterium/tritium titanium films were 1.9 and 1.7, respectively. Two kinds of GaAs-based PIN junction semiconductor transducers were proposed and irradiated with the prepared tritium source. Their electrical properties were measured in situ and analyzed qualitatively. Under the irradiation of a 0.61-Ci tritium source, the short-circuit current of the device was 0.3 to 0.38 μA, the open-circuit voltage was 35 to 63 mV, the peak power was 2.8 to 6.4 nW, and the energy conversion efficiency of the GaAs semiconductor transducer was about 1.86%. It was found that an air gap between the GaAs semiconductor transducer and the radioactive source caused serious loss of beta particle energy, resulting in low output power and low energy conversion efficiency of the nuclear battery. The open-circuit voltage of the devices with a SiO2 passivation layer on the surface decreased both in a dark environment and in light illumination, but SiO2 passivation did not reduce surface recombination as expected. The research work in this paper will provide some valuable reference for the preparation and performance optimization of nuclear batteries.

Modeling and simulation of a high power InGaP/GaAs heterojunction alphavoltaic battery irradiated by americium-241

The design of semiconductor-based heterojunction structures can be turned useful to raise the efficiency of nuclear micro-batteries. In this study, we have investigated a micro-power alphavoltaic battery by using a lab-made software. The nuclear battery consists of an In0.49Ga0.51P/GaAs heterostructure irradiated by americium-241 (Am241) alpha particles with an average kinetic energy of 5.485 MeV. The alphavoltaic battery exhibits an overall active area of 1 cm2. Based on a comprehensive analytical model, the device current density-voltage J(V) and output electric power P(V) characteristics are simulated extracting the energy conversion efficiency. The model takes into account the reflection of the incident alpha particles, the ohmic losses, the effect of the boundary between the two layers, and the depletion region borders. Different values of the radioisotope apparent activity density, the emitter and base dopant concentrations, and the surface recombination velocities in both the front and back layers are considered during the simulations to optimize the battery performance. The present study reports that by irradiating by a 2.4 mCi/cm2 Am241 source, the obtained energy conversion efficiency of the battery can reach 10.31% with a maximum output power density of 16.07 µW/cm2. Therefore, In0.49Ga0.51P/GaAs heterostructure coupled with Am241 seems a promising design for long-term energy supply in harsh environments.

Preliminary Verification of the PHITS Code Applicability to Conversion Efficiency Calculation of Direct Charge Nuclear Battery

A direct charge nuclear battery, or DCNB, is one of the nuclear batteries based on direct energy conversion and is characterized by exceptional high voltage generation and conversion efficiency higher than other nuclear batteries. For studying potential applications of DCNB, a preliminary estimation of DCNB electrical power and performance is required; hence, conversion efficiency analysis is crucial. For preliminary verification purposes, an ideal DCNB conversion efficiency was calculated under the simplified electron transport model by using the general-purpose Monte Carlo particle transport calculation code PHITS. The result was compared with a reference experimental efficiency for a T-loaded parallel plate DCNB, and the resulting relative error was approximately 12%. Considering the relative error of 20% or less in DCNB conversion efficiency shown by preceding studies, the resulting error was comparable, and it was concluded that the PHITS code is sufficiently applicable to DCNB conversion efficiency analysis.

A Linkage Factors Between Nucleation and Atomic Physics as a Isomers Bases

The radioactive isomer was initially used to characterize persistent excited atomic states, much like molecular isomers, more than a century ago. Otto Hahn made the first atomic isomer discovery in 1921. Subsequently, it was gradually discovered that there are several kinds of nuclear isomers, such as spin isomer, K isomer, seniority isomer, and “shape and fission” isomer. Isomers are essential to the nucleosynthesis of astrophysical materials. High-accuracy nuclear reaction rate inputs are anticipated while carrying out a celestial nucleosynthesis net computation, even though a single reaction rate can have a significant impact on the whole astronomical evolutionary network. The isotopes are often considered to be in their initial state or to have levels populated in accordance with the thermal-equilibrium distribution of chances when computing nuclear synthesis rates. After all, certain isomers may have lives that reach millions of years or perhaps beyond the age of the cosmos. Thus, in an astrophysics event, such isomers might not be thermally equilibrium. Some atomic isomers—that is, astrometry—should be considered special isotopes since they are crucial to nucleosynthesis. Nuclear batteries can also be produced using nuclear isomers. Similar to the weak force, in certain specific cases such as isomer decays, the electromagnetic force could be crucial for nuclear changes. It is important to note that radioactive isomer states and radioactive ground states are not the same thing. Durable nuclear states of excitement provide insight into the nuclear framework and potential uses. Atomic and molecular changes become interconnected when the connection to the electrons in atoms is made possible by the existence of em decay routes from isomers. Notably renowned chemical decay process is inner conversion. Its inverted, nuclear excitement by free capture of electrons has been observed; however, it is debatable and needs more investigation. This study describes the connection connecting radioactive and molecular changes and discusses instances of manipulating nuclear moves related to isomers using external electromagnetic fields.

Structural design and optimization of 3D interface structures based on betavoltaic nuclear batteries

Structural design and optimization of 3D interface structures based on betavoltaic nuclear batteries

A [formula omitted]-radioisotope battery based on betavoltaic and beta-photovoltaic dual effects

Betavoltaic batteries with strontium sources are expected to achieve higher output power because of their high energy density and low self-absorption rate with the development of MEMS. However, the high energy of beta particles emitted from 90Sr/90Y can prone to radiation damage of the semiconductor. In order to exploit the high energy of beta particles emitted from 90Sr/90Y and to avoid radiation damage to the semiconductor, this paper presents a 90Sr/90Y-radioisotope battery based on betavoltaic (BV) and beta-photovoltaic (BPV) dual effects. In the work, the energy deposition of beta particles in LYSO:Ce and GaAs was simulated by Monte Carlo code, and thickness of the scintillator was determined. And the doping concentrations and junction depth of semiconductor were optimized based on the theoretical calculations to obtain the best output performance of device. When the thickness of LYSO:Ce is 0.158 cm, the output power density Pm of the optimized dual-effect battery is 0.61 μW/cm2. And the conversion efficiency of the device is 0.92%. At this time, the doping concentrations are Na=1.58×1017cm−3 and Nd=3.16×1018cm−3, and the junction depth xj=0.05μm. All calculated parameter values are considered as theoretical limit values. In addition, the contribution of BV effect and BPV effect to the output performance of the dual-effect radioisotope battery was investigated. Different scintillator thicknesses lead to different percentages of the two mechanics. In addition, the BV effect and BPV effect output proportion is also affected by the average energy of the radiation source. In the case that the average electron energy on the semiconductor surface is 0.27 MeV, the higher the radioactive source energy, the thicker the scintillator is required, resulting in more BPV effect and less BV effect.

Enhanced adsorption dynamics and thermal stability of radioactive Sr(II) by lamellar Nb-doped sodium vanadosilicate via self-assembly and conditional natroxalate intercalation

To promote the environmentally friendly and sustainable development of nuclear energy, it is imperative to address the treatment of wastewater generated by the nuclear industry. This necessitates the enhancement of fission product reclamation efficiency post-treatment. This study aims to combine defect control and confined self-assembly strategies for the precise design of interlayer spacing (14.6 Å to 15.1 Å), leading to the fabrication of conditional natroxalate-functionalized vanadosilicate, and its potential application in the efficient adsorption and reclamation of 90Sr. Na0.03Natroxalate2.47Si1.44Nb0.08V1.92O5·1.2 H2O (Nb4-NxSiVO), with a layer spacing of 14.9 Å, exhibits the highest Sr(II) adsorption capacity (248.76 mg/g), enabling effective separation with Cs+. The natroxalate embedded within the confined interlayers demonstrates excellent stability, offering rapid (within 10 min) and stable adsorption sites for Sr(II). Furthermore, Nb4-NxSiVO exhibits a wide band gap and exceptional thermal stability before and after adsorption, rendering hard desorption of 90Sr. The findings highlight the potential of Nb4-NxSiVO as a promising adsorbent for rapid and selective purification of 90Sr-containing wastewater and further application in nuclear batteries.

Investigating the role of nuclear power and battery storage in Hungary's energy transition using hourly resolution electricity market simulations

Electricity supply in European countries faces a number of challenges, such as achieving carbon neutrality, tackling rising prices, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, including fossil fuel imports. To achieve these goals, the electricity systems of all European countries will have to undergo major changes, while taking into account technical, environmental, economic and social objectives. Our simulations provide essential data for this transition by analyzing different power plant portfolios and electricity consumption scenarios. The analyses focus on the cooperation of nuclear power and weather-dependent renewables, and on the possible role that battery-based electricity storage can play in the Hungarian electricity system.In this paper, we present the experience gained in setting up an electricity market model and the results of running the model on the electricity systems of Hungary and its six neighboring countries (Slovakia, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Austria), taking into account the constraints of the cross-border capacities. The results of the sensitivity analysis for the 2030 power plant portfolios, battery capacities and renewables analyzed in this paper cover Hungary's import/export position, the energy source structure of its electricity generation, battery operation, CO2 emissions from electricity generation, expected prices in the system and the utilization parameters of nuclear power plants.

Preparation of High-Labeled Graphene Oxide by Tritium Thermal Activation Method for Application in the Betavoltaic Cell of a Nuclear Battery

The possibility of tritium introduction into graphene oxide (GO) by tritium thermal activation method was demonstrated. It was established that, in order to produce the highest possible specific radioactivity, thin films of GO with a thickness of 5.6 mg/m2 must be treated with tritium atoms. The experiment conducted at 77 K showed a number of advantages. GO was processed with tritium atoms, the resulting specific activity of [3H]GO reached 2.6 Ci/mg in term of the weight of the initial GO (0.7 Ci/mg after removal of the labile tritium). Specific energy release of [3H]GO with this specific activity is 22.3 W/kg, which is quite sufficient for its application as a component of a nuclear battery.

Development of a pulsed laser deposition system suitable for radioactive thin films growth

Radioactive thin films have a direct application in the development of beta-voltaic batteries. The main advantage of that kind of nuclear battery is its durability, which can range from a hundred years, depending on the half-life of the radioisotope used. In this context, Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) is an important tool. A relevant aspect of a system using this technique is that the main equipment is outside the chamber where the material is processed. Consequently, this feature allows the growth of radioactive thin films, as it enables the development of an arrangement where the contaminated area is controlled. In this way, the present work proposed the development of a PLD system for the growth of radioactive thin films. The PLD system was then implemented and radioactive copper targets were processed for 60 min and 120 min, resulting in radioactive thin films with an average thickness of (167.8 ± 3.7) nm and (313.5 ± 9.2) nm, respectively. Then, a study was performed about the radioactive contamination spread in the PLD system in order to prove if the filtering implemented was effective in retaining the contamination inside the vacuum chamber. Thus, it is demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of using the PLD technique in the growth of radioactive thin films, making its use possible in future studies on the development of beta-voltaic nuclear batteries.

Ultra-stable CsPbBr3-embedded polymer films for spectrally tunable X-ray nuclear batteries and flexible radiation imaging applications

Luminescence stability in service environments has limited the widespread use of halide perovskite materials, especially for X-ray energy conversion and detection imaging. This work proposed a method for improving luminescence...

Recent Theoretical Advancement of Boron-Rich Compounds for Applications in High-Density Energy Conversion Devices

Boron-rich compounds (IBCs) such as boron suboxide (B6O) and boron subphosphide (B12P2) are derived from the α-rhombohedral boron lattice with extreme hardness and unusual electrical properties. These compounds display an extraordinary self-healing ability to repair the lattice defects generated from exposure to high-energy irradiation. This unique ability will enable these boron-rich compounds to be deployed in nuclear battery devices for space or deep-sea exploration applications when coupled with their high hole mobility.Synthesis and control of the stoichiometry of IBCs are the key technical challenge. For instance, the electrical properties of B6O are susceptible to specific B:O ratios. Thus far, the highest quality B6O crystals were obtained from high-pressure, high-temperature (HP-HT) experiments using mixed boron and boron oxide powders. Nevertheless, a mature synthesis protocol yielding consistent, high-quality B6O crystals has not been established.In this talk, density functional theory (DFT) was used to understand how the structural, electronic, and thermodynamic stabilities of B6O (and other IBCs) are influenced by the interstitial elements and point defects at the icosahedral sites. Using the hybrid HSE functional, we confirmed that the perfect B6O bulk is a p-type semiconductor with a direct band gap of 2.8 eV. Furthermore, by screening the α-boron compounds systematically, we found that a simple octet rule may offer a consistent explanation for the variations in the computed electronic structures. Then, the thermodynamic calculations based on the DFT method predict that formations of interstitial defects become favorable only at higher temperatures.To understand the self-healing property, the nudged elastic band (NEB) method was employed to identify the minimum energy pathways for the diffusions of dislocated B and O atoms. The diffusion of icosahedral B atoms has an energy barrier of 0.16 eV, confirming that the boron vacancies can be repaired with little kinetic limitation. Nevertheless, a substantially perturbed lattice requires more complex structural reorganization and thus incurs higher barriers (> 1 eV).Lastly, reactive molecular dynamics simulations with a frozen core were performed to gain insights into the initial crystal nucleation process using a newly developed ReaxFF force field. For the first time, we can gain a molecular perspective on the formations of the boron icosahedra (B12) motif and the energetic profile. Such knowledge will aid the experimental design of IBC synthesis.

Enhancing betavoltaic nuclear battery performance with 3D P+PNN+ multi-groove structure via carrier evolution

Enhancing betavoltaic nuclear battery performance with 3D P+PNN+ multi-groove structure via carrier evolution

A Review on Tribocorrosion Behavior of Aluminum Alloys: From Fundamental Mechanisms to Alloy Design Strategies

Tribocorrosion, a research field that has been evolving for decades, has gained renewed attention in recent years, driven by increased demand for wear- and corrosion-resistant materials from biomedical implants, nuclear power generation, advanced manufacturing, batteries, marine and offshore industries, etc. In the United States, wear and corrosion are estimated to cost nearly USD 300 billion per year. Among various important structural materials, passive metals such as aluminum alloys are most vulnerable to tribocorrosion due to the wear-accelerated corrosion as a result of passive film removal. Thus, designing aluminum alloys with better tribocorrosion performance is of both scientific and practical importance. This article reviews five decades of research on the tribocorrosion of aluminum alloys, from experimental to computational studies. Special focus is placed on two aspects: (1) The effects of alloying and grain size on the fundamental wear, corrosion, and tribocorrosion mechanisms; and (2) Alloy design strategies to improve the tribocorrosion resistance of aluminum alloys. Finally, the paper sheds light on the current challenges faced and outlines a few future research directions in the field of tribocorrosion of aluminum alloys.

Survey of Frontier Technological Approaches to Mitigate Climate Change

Climate change with its’ increasingly serious and wide spectrum adverse impacts is the Issue of the Age. Climate change impacts have advanced to where mitigation solutions are now required for CO2 removal from the atmosphere along with planetary albedo/ other safe geoengineering approaches in addition to ever lower cost green energy generation and energy storage/ conversion/ conservation/ efficiency. There are extensive ongoing efforts involving all of these climate mitigation approaches. This work is a survey of additional frontier technologies, concepts and alternatives not yet deployed or nascent which could greatly augment the ongoing climate mitigation efforts across the spectrum. Particularly potentially efficacious approaches wrt cost and effectiveness include Halophytes, LENR, high altitude wind, geothermal utilizing abandoned oil and gas wells, ocean fertilization, white roofs and white roads and utilization of weak force nuclear batteries to extract the some 85% of the energy still present in nuclear waste.

Call for papers for Special Issue on Nuclear Batteries

Call for papers for Special Issue on Nuclear Batteries