08-16-2017, 10:34 PM
Radioisotope Batteries for MEMS
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What is a Nuclear Battery?
Goal: convert energy from radioactive decay to electricity
Options:
Direct charge collection
Indirect (scintillation)
Betavoltaic
Thermoelectric
Thermionic
thermophotovoltaic
Isotope Selection
Type of radiation
Alpha
Beta
Half-Life
Long -> Long battery life
Short -> Higher power
Avoid gammas in the decay chain
Watch out for (alpha, n) reactions
Watch particle range
Direct conversion nuclear battery
Direct conversion nuclear battery: collecting charges emitted from radioisotopes with a capacitor to achieve high voltage output
Secondary Collector
Use beta source
MgOused to maximize secondary s
Collector is graphite coated Al
1e-5 mm Hg vacuum