Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “radioisotope batteries”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

8 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Three dimensional radioisotope battery and methods of making the same

According to one embodiment, a product includes an array of three dimensional structures, where each of the three dimensional structure includes a semiconductor material; a cavity region between each of the three dimensional structures; and a first material in contact with at least one surface of each of the three dimensional structures, where the first material is configured to provide high energy particle and/or ray emissions.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Alternative Power and Propulsion for Space Systems

What are the main sources of power and propulsion for space systems and what are their advantages, disadvantages, how do they work, and what are the politics behind them? The following topics will be analyzed solar panels, batteries, radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG), advanced Stirling radioscopic generator (ASRG), reactors, nuclear thermal rockets (NTP), thermionic experiment with conversion (TOPAZ), electrothermal plasma thruster (VASIMR), ion propulsion, and finally nuclear pulse propulsion. The production of Pu-238 is extremely controversial but a vital source of fuel for many of these space systems. Soral and Batteries are the most common and the least controversial forms of power used in space systems today. However, is ineffective for deep space exploration as they only function for up to four years without needing to be recharged. This is where nuclear systems come into play. Nuclear systems such as an RTG will “live” up to 88 years. For example, Voyager 1 is powered by an RTG It has been traveling since 1977 and has left out solar system in 2012 and has yet to run out of power. However, this type of technology (nuclear) has many hurtles it needs to jump through before advancements in can go much further.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Fission Batteries: Definition, Key Attributes and Research and Development Needs

The term battery was first introduced by the American scientist and inventor Benjamin Franklin in 1749, followed by invention of the first true battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta. Today, batteries are a ubiquitous source of portable electric power across different applications. Batteries are widely used across a range of scales from consumer products to grid-scale energy storage. There are different types of batteries, but they can be broadly classified as chemical or electric batteries [1], atomic batteries, nuclear batteries, tritium batteries or radioisotope generators [2, 3]. Atomic batteries, nuclear batteries, tritium batteries, and radioisotope generators have gained significant attention for applications requi-ing long-term power supply and high-power density, including the space power reactor [4]. While a number of reactor systems, particularly micro-reactors, are referred to as fission batteries, this paper defines key attributes required for a fission reactor to achieve capabilities comparable with the characteristics of batteries that enable their wide-spread use. Achieving this full vision of a fission battery will enable broad deployment of fission reactors that function like batteries. The research and development (R&D) activities needed to achieve the desired fission battery attributes are discussed below.

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗
DOE OSTI2021

Demonstration of a Three-Dimensionally Structured Betavoltaic

In this work, we present a demonstration of a high-aspect ratio, three-dimensionally structured betavoltaic device. High-aspect ratio silicon PIN diodes were used as the semiconductor absorber and 147 PmCl 3 was used as the beta emitter. Three devices were fabricated with 147 Pm activities of 2.4 mCi, 7.4 mCi, and 29.5 mCi. The device with the highest activity produced an initial power output of 200 nW and was monitored over a period of 8 months to observe the current–voltage behavior over time, during which time the output current decreased in accordance with the radioactive half-life of 147 Pm. Small deviations in the output current of a few percent during the long-term measurement were found to be attributable to the humidity in the room where the experiment was done. Furthermore, the output current generated from the devices was 68–77% of the theoretical maximum, indicating significant infiltration of the radioisotope into the ridged structures.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

A virtual Frisch-grid geometry-based CZT gamma detector for in-field radioisotope identification

Here, we present a Virtual Frisch-Grid geometry-based CZT gamma detector developed for identifying different radioisotopes over an energy range from a few keV up to 2 MeV, and useful for efficient characterization of CZT crystals. The detector is built with a 3 x 3 matrix of CZT crystals, each measuring approximately 6 mm x 6 mm x 15 mm. The charge generated within the sensor’s active volume is read out via an anode connected directly to the AVG3_Dev integrated circuit. A current signal induced by charge drift is collected on side pads of the crystals, enabling reconstruction of a 3D interaction position. This paper discusses the design, development, and performance of the standalone, mobile detector system, which integrates the AVG3_Dev readout IC developed at Brookhaven National Laboratory, a high-speed FPGA-based with per-channel digital signal processing, and embedded system capabilities. The device is compact, battery-powered, and supports wireless data streaming, making it suitable for field operations for radioisotope identification.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Ku-band electron linac for battery-powered hand-portable 2-MeV X-ray generator

X-ray generators, producing radiation in MeV range, are a critical tool for radiography, non-destructive testing and security applications. Field operation of such source requires them to be hand-portable, autonomous and allow parameter adjustability. RF linear accelerators can serve as a flexible, reliable, and robust radiation generator alternative to dangerous radioisotopes and bulky betatrons that are currently used for field radiography if their size, weight, cost, and imaging performance are matched to these sources. Here, in this paper, we present the design and test results of a 2 MeV Ku-band electron linac for a hand-portable X-ray generator system for field radiography being developed by RadiaBeam. The dramatic scale of miniaturization and cost-reduction is achieved thanks to the implementation of innovative technologies such as air-cooled Ku-band air-traffic control magnetrons, a split accelerating structure fabrication technique, and solid-state Marx modulators. This paper presents the design of the first prototype of the accelerator, its operation from Li-Ion batteries, as well as high-power and beam measurements.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗