Atomic battery

Abstract

A nuclear battery is provided. The nuclear battery includes a radiation source layer, a first electrical insulating layer, a casing layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The radiation source layer includes a composition that can be configured to emit beta rays. The first electrical insulating layer is disposed on the radiation source layer. The casing layer is disposed on the first electrical insulating layer. The casing layer includes a composition that is configured to block the passage of beta rays. The first electrode is in electrical communication with the radiation source layer. The second electrode is in electrical communication with the casing layer. When the radiation source layer emits beta rays, a potential difference exists between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Non-provisional Application No. 17 / 089,249, filed November 4, 2020, entitled "NUCLEAR BATTERY," the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) generate heat, which is converted to electricity by a thermocouple. Plutonium-238 is typically used in RTGs because it has a desirable half-life of 87.7 years. Heat is generated by plutonium-238 emitting alpha radiation, which rapidly slows down in the material surrounding it. Additionally, because plutonium-238 does not essentially produce gamma radiation, and because alpha radiation slowing down does not essentially produce gamma radiation, plutonium-238-powered RTGs require minimal radiation shielding to operate in close proximity to personnel and / or radiation-sensitive electronics. However, the use of plutonium-238 in RTGs presents challenges. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure provides a nuclear battery. The nuclear battery includes a radiation source layer, a first electrical insulating layer, a casing layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The radiation source layer includes a composition that can be configured to emit beta rays. The first electrical insulating layer is disposed on the radiation source layer. The casing layer is disposed on the first electrical insulating layer. The casing layer includes a composition that is configured to block the passage of beta rays. The first electrode is in electrical communication with the radiation source layer. The second electrode is in electrical communication with the casing layer. When the radiation source layer emits beta rays, a potential difference exists between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0004] It is understood that the invention described herein is not limited to the examples summarized in this Summary of the Invention. Various other aspects are described and illustrated herein. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0005] The features and advantages of the embodiments, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become more apparent and the embodiments will be better understood by referring to the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a nuclear battery according to the present disclosure.

[0007] The exemplifications set forth herein illustrate particular embodiments in one form, and such exemplifications should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide a general understanding of the compositions, functions, principles of manufacture, and uses of the compositions and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the compositions, articles, and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments, and that the scope of various embodiments of the present invention is defined only by the claims. Features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0009] Throughout this specification, references to "various embodiments," "some embodiments," "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or the like mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in that embodiment. Thus, the appearances of phrases such as "various embodiments," "some embodiments," "in one embodiment," and "in an embodiment" throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with a feature, structure, or characteristic of another embodiment or other embodiments, without limitation. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present embodiments.

[0010] Typically, RTGs generate electrical energy solely from thermal energy produced by the moderation of alpha rays from plutonium-238. However, plutonium-238 can be an undesirable fuel. In addition, beta-emitting compositions have not previously been used because beta rays can produce undesirable bremsstrahlung radiation (e.g., gamma rays) and can undesirably require large radiation shielding layers. Furthermore, increasing the power density of RTGs has been difficult. Therefore, the inventors provide a nuclear battery that can generate electrical energy directly from emitted beta rays without the need to first create thermal energy from the beta rays, increasing the power density of the RTG, and / or reducing electrical shielding requirements. In various embodiments, the nuclear battery can generate electrical energy both directly from beta rays and from thermal energy.

[0011] 1 , a nuclear battery 100 is provided. The nuclear battery 100 comprises a radiation source layer 102, a first electrically insulating layer 104, a casing layer 106, a first electrode 108, and a second electrode 110. In some embodiments, the nuclear battery 100 optionally comprises a second electrically insulating layer 112, a radiation shielding layer 114, a thermal energy collection device 116, and a thermal insulation layer 118.

[0012] The nuclear battery 100 may be configured as a battery plate, a rod, or other shape. In various embodiments, the nuclear battery 102 may include a single battery plate as shown, or multiple battery plates (not shown). In a rod-shaped configuration of the nuclear battery 100, each of the layers 102, 104, 106, 112, 114, and 118 may have a vertical cross-section as shown. The length of the rods may be adjusted to generate a desired amount of power. The rod shape may be a helical rod shape to minimize the space required to achieve a desired power output.

[0013] The radiation source layer 102 includes a composition that can be configured to emit beta rays. For example, the radiation source layer 102 can include thulium, a thulium isotope, strontium, a strontium isotope, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the radiation source layer 102 includes a radioactive isotope that emits beta rays. The radiation source layer 102 can be plate-shaped or rod-shaped. The radiation source layer 102 can be fabricated with a thickness based on the desired amount of beta rays to be emitted. For example, the radiation source layer 102 can be 1 mm thick. The dimensions of the radiation source layer 102 can be sized to generate a desired amount of power.

[0014] The first electrically insulating layer 104 is disposed on the radiation source layer 102. For example, the first electrically insulating layer 104 may be in direct contact with and surround the radiation source layer 102. The first electrically insulating layer 104 may have a suitable composition and thickness to provide a desired electrical resistance between the radiation source layer 102 and the casing layer 106. For example, the first electrically insulating layer may include a metal oxide. In various embodiments, the first electrically insulating layer may include magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, diamond, or a combination thereof.

[0015] The casing layer 106 is disposed on the first electrically insulating layer 104. For example, the casing layer 106 may be in direct contact with and surround the first electrically insulating layer 104. The casing layer 106 has a composition and thickness configured to inhibit beta rays from passing through the casing layer 106 (e.g., slow down the beta rays). An example of the casing layer 106 may include a metal or metal alloy, such as a metal with an atomic number of 13 or less, or a metal alloy having a primary metal with an atomic number of 13 or less. In various embodiments, the casing layer may include aluminum, an aluminum alloy, magnesium, or a magnesium alloy. In embodiments in which the casing layer 106 includes a composition having a metal with an atomic number of 13 or less, Bremsstrahlung radiation resulting from the inhibition of beta rays from passing through the casing layer 106 is minimized, if at all, and the size of the radiation shielding layer 114 may be reduced.

[0016] The first electrode 108 is in electrical communication with the radiation source layer 102. The first electrode 108 may be electrically isolated from the casing layer 106, the radiation shielding layer 114, and any other conductive layers in the nuclear battery 110 other than the radiation source layer 102. In various embodiments, the first electrode 108 is a positive electrode.

[0017] The second electrode 110 is in electrical communication with the casing layer 106. The second electrode 110 is electrically isolated from the radiation shielding layer 114 and the radiation source layer 102. In various embodiments, the second electrode 110 is a negative electrode.

[0018] The beta rays emitted by the radiation source layer 102 can be used directly to generate electrical energy, without first having to generate thermal energy. For example, the beta rays emitted by the radiation source material 102 can pass through the first electrically insulating layer 104 and reach the casing layer 106. The passage of the beta rays can create a potential difference between the radiation source layer 102 and the casing layer 106. For example, electrons contained in the beta rays can be transported to the casing layer 106.

[0019] To create the potential difference, the first electrically insulating layer 104 is configured to have a thickness that allows beta rays to pass through the first electrically insulating layer 104 while still creating a desired electrical resistance between the radiation source material 102 and the casing layer 106. Thus, when the radiation source layer 102 emits beta rays due to electrical conduction between the first electrode 108 and the radiation source layer 102 and electrical conduction between the second electrode 110 and the casing layer 106, a potential difference exists between the first electrode 108 and the second electrode 110. Typical RTGs use alpha emitters, but alpha rays travel very short distances in solid materials, making it impossible to create the desired potential difference.

[0020] The second electrical insulating layer 112 is disposed on the casing layer 106. For example, the second electrical insulating layer 112 can be in direct contact with and surround the casing layer 106. The second electrical insulating layer 112 can have a suitable composition and thickness to provide a desired electrical resistance between the casing layer 106 and the radiation shielding layer 114, thereby preventing the radiation shielding layer 114 from interfering with the formation of a potential difference between the casing layer 106 and the radiation source layer 102. For example, the second electrical insulating layer 112 can include a metal oxide. In various embodiments, the second electrical insulating layer 112 can include magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, diamond, or a combination thereof. The second electrical insulating layer 112 can be thermally conductive. In this manner, heat within the casing layer 106 generated by blocking the passage of beta rays can be transferred to the radiation shielding layer 114.

[0021] The radiation shielding layer 114 is disposed on the second electrically insulating layer 112. For example, the radiation shielding layer 114 may be in direct contact with and surround the second electrically insulating layer 112. The radiation shielding layer 114 may have a composition and thickness suitable for blocking gamma rays from passing through the radiation shielding layer 114. For example, the radiation shielding layer 114 may include a metal or a metal alloy. In various examples, the radiation shielding layer 114 may include tungsten, a tungsten alloy, iron, an iron alloy, uranium, a uranium alloy, or a uranium compound. The radiation shielding layer 114 may be in thermal communication with the casing layer 106. Thermal energy may be generated when the radiation shielding layer 114 blocks the passage of additional beta rays and / or bremsstrahlung radiation from the casing layer 106.

[0022] The thermal energy collection device 116 is in physical contact with the radiation shielding layer 114 and is configured to receive thermal energy from the radiation shielding layer 114 and convert the thermal energy into electrical energy. For example, the thermal energy collection device 116 may include a thermocouple. In various embodiments, the thermal energy from the radiation shielding layer 114 may be collected in a manner used in a typical RTG.

[0023] Radiation Shielding Layer 114 Because the radiation shielding layer 114 may be heated by thermal energy, disposing the thermal insulation layer 118 on the radiation shielding layer 114 may reduce convective loss of thermal energy from the nuclear power plant 100, thereby improving the efficiency of the nuclear power plant 100. For example, the thermal insulation layer 118 may be in direct contact with and surround the radiation shielding layer 114. The thermal insulation layer 118 may include fiberglass, silica, carbon, other insulating materials, and combinations thereof.

[0024] As described herein, the nuclear-powered battery 100 can generate electrical energy by converting thermal energy into electrical energy using the thermal energy collection device 116 and directly from the beta radiation emitted from the radiation source layer 102. The nuclear-powered battery 100 can generate electrical energy from the first and second electrodes 108 and 110 at least 0.1 watts per cubic centimeter of the volume of the nuclear-powered battery (0.1 watts / cm). 3 ), e.g., at least 0.5 watts / cm 3 、 At least 1 watt / cm 3 , at least 2 watts / cm 3 、 At least 10 watts / cm 3 、 or at least 50 watts / cm 3 The signal processing unit 100 may be configured to output:

[0025] The nuclear battery 100 can be used in a variety of applications where a substantially constant power source is desirable. The nuclear battery 100 can be used to power computer or communication devices in military equipment, to power unmanned vehicles such as aircraft or submarines, or in civilian applications such as electric vehicles to power auxiliary functions such as interior heating to extend driving range.

[0026] Powering unmanned vehicles also enables these vehicles to operate in conditions that are normally inaccessible: in contrast to currently used internal combustion engines, nuclear battery 100 does not require air (e.g., oxygen) to power it, allowing vehicles to travel at higher altitudes and / or lower temperatures.

[0027] Various aspects of the invention according to this disclosure include, but are not limited to, those listed in the following numbered clauses: 1. A nuclear battery, a radiation source layer comprising a composition configurable to emit beta radiation; a first electrically insulating layer disposed on the radiation source layer; a casing layer disposed on the first electrically insulating layer and including a composition configured to inhibit the passage of beta rays; a first electrode in electrical communication with the radiation source layer; A nuclear battery comprising a second electrode in electrical communication with the casing layer, wherein a potential difference exists between the first electrode and the second electrode when the radiation source layer emits beta rays. 2. The nuclear battery of clause 1, wherein the radiation source layer comprises thulium, a thulium isotope, strontium, a strontium isotope, or a combination thereof. 3. The nuclear battery of clause 1 or 2, wherein the first electrically insulating layer comprises a metal oxide. 4. The nuclear battery of any one of clauses 1-3, wherein the first electrically insulating layer comprises magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, diamond, or a combination thereof. 5. The nuclear battery of any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the casing layer comprises a metal or metal alloy. 6. The nuclear battery of any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the casing layer comprises aluminum, an aluminum alloy, magnesium, or a magnesium alloy. 7. a second electrically insulating layer disposed on the casing layer; a radiation shielding layer disposed on the second electrically insulating layer; 7. The nuclear battery of any one of clauses 1-6, further comprising a thermal energy harvesting device in physical contact with the radiation shielding layer and configured to convert thermal energy into electrical energy. 8. The nuclear battery according to clause 7, further comprising a thermal insulation layer disposed on the radiation shielding layer. 9. The nuclear battery of clause 7 or 8, wherein the thermal energy collection device comprises a thermocouple. 10. The nuclear battery of any one of clauses 7 to 9, wherein the radiation shielding layer comprises a metal or metal alloy. 11. The nuclear battery of any one of clauses 7 to 10, wherein the radiation shielding layer comprises tungsten, a tungsten alloy, iron, an iron alloy, uranium, or a uranium alloy. 12. The nuclear battery according to any one of clauses 7 to 11, wherein the first electrode is electrically insulated from the casing layer and the radiation shielding layer. 13. The nuclear battery according to any one of clauses 7 to 12, wherein the second electrode is electrically insulated from the radiation shielding layer. 14. The nuclear battery of any one of clauses 1-13, wherein the nuclear battery is configured to output at least 0.1 watts per cubic centimeter of nuclear battery volume. 15. A nuclear battery according to any one of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the radiation source layer is plate-shaped or rod-shaped.

[0028] Various features and characteristics are described herein to provide an understanding of the compositions, structures, manufacture, function, and / or processes of the present invention, including the disclosed methods and systems. It is understood that the various features and characteristics of the invention described herein may be combined in any suitable manner, regardless of whether such features and characteristics are explicitly described in combination herein. The inventors and applicant expressly intend that such combinations of features and characteristics be included within the scope of the invention described herein. As such, the claims may be amended to recite any features and characteristics, in any combination, that are explicitly or inherently described or otherwise explicitly or inherently supported herein. Furthermore, applicant reserves the right to amend the claims to affirmatively disclaim features and characteristics that may exist in the prior art, even if those features and characteristics are not explicitly described herein. Accordingly, any such amendments would not add new matter to the specification or claims, but would be subject to the requirements of written description, sufficiency of description, and additional matter.

[0029] With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will understand that the steps recited therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, while various process flow diagrams are presented sequentially, it should be understood that various steps may be performed in orders other than those illustrated, or may be performed simultaneously. Examples of such alternative orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preliminary, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or various other orderings, unless the context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, unless the context dictates otherwise, terms such as "responsive to," "related to," or other past tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variations.

[0030] The inventions described herein can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of various features and characteristics described herein. The terms "comprise" (and any form of comprise such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and any form of have such as "has" and "having"), "include" (and any form of include such as "includes" and "including"), and "contain" (and any form of contain such as "contains" and "containing") are open-ended linking verbs. Thus, a method or system that "comprises," "has," "includes," or "contains" one or more features and / or characteristics possesses that feature or those features and / or characteristics, but is not limited to possessing only that feature or those features and / or characteristics. Similarly, an element of a composition, coating, or process that "comprises," "has," "includes," or "contains" that feature or those features and / or characteristics possesses that feature or those features and / or characteristics, but is not limited to possessing only that feature or those features and / or characteristics, and may possess additional features and / or characteristics.

[0031] As used herein, including the claims, grammatical articles such as "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include "at least one" or "one or more" unless otherwise specified. Accordingly, articles are used herein to refer to one or more than one (i.e., "at least one") of the grammatical object of the article. As an example, "a component" means one or more components, and thus, in some cases, two or more components are contemplated and may be employed or used in the described composition, coating, and process implementations. Nevertheless, while the terms "at least one" or "one or more" are used in some instances and not in other instances, it is understood that the absence of these terms will not be interpreted as limiting the object of the grammatical articles "a," "an," and "the" to only one. Furthermore, unless the context requires otherwise, the use of a singular noun includes the plural, and the use of a plural noun includes the singular.

[0032] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, all numerical parameters should be understood in all instances to be prefaced and modified by the term "about," which numerical parameter accounts for the inherent variability characteristic of the underlying measurement technique used to determine the numerical value of that parameter. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter set forth herein should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0033] Any numerical range recited herein includes all subranges subsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of "1 to 10" includes all subranges between the recited minimum of 1 and the recited maximum of 10 (inclusive), i.e., all subranges with a minimum of 1 or more and a maximum of 10 or less. Also, all ranges recited herein include the recited endpoints. For example, a range of "1 to 10" includes the endpoints 1 and 10. Any maximum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed within the range, and any minimum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed within the range. Accordingly, applicants reserve the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to explicitly recite any subranges subsumed within an expressly recited range. All such ranges are inherently described herein.

[0034] As used herein, particularly with respect to layers, the terms "on," "onto," "over," and variations thereof (e.g., "applied onto," "formed on," "deposited on," "provided on," "located on," and the like) mean applied to, formed on, deposited on, provided on, or otherwise located on, but not necessarily in contact with, the surface of a substrate. For example, a layer "applied onto" a substrate does not exclude the presence of another or other layer of the same or different composition located between the applied layer and the substrate. Similarly, a second layer "applied onto" a first layer does not exclude the presence of another or other layer of the same or different composition located between the applied second layer and the applied first layer.

[0035] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations in the details of the invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A nuclear battery, a radiation source layer comprising a composition configurable to emit beta radiation; a first electrically insulating layer disposed on the radiation source layer; a casing layer disposed on the first electrically insulating layer, the casing layer comprising a metal having an atomic number of 13 or less, or a metal alloy having a primary metal having an atomic number of 13 or less, thereby impeding the production of bremsstrahlung radiation; a first electrode in electrical communication with the radiation source layer; a second electrode in electrical communication with the casing layer; the first electrical insulating layer surrounds the entire radiation source layer except where the first electrode penetrates the first electrical insulating layer, and the casing layer surrounds the entire first electrical insulating layer except where the first electrical insulating layer surrounding the first electrode penetrates the casing layer; a nuclear battery configured such that the first electrode and the radiation source layer are electrically connected and the second electrode and the casing layer are electrically connected, whereby a potential difference is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode directly from beta rays emitted from the radiation source layer, and the beta rays emitted from the radiation source layer contain electrons that pass through the first electrically insulating layer and reach the casing layer.

2. 10. The nuclear battery of claim 1, wherein the radiation source layer comprises thulium, a thulium isotope, strontium, a strontium isotope, or a combination thereof.

3. A nuclear battery, a radiation source layer comprising a composition configurable to emit beta radiation; a first electrically insulating layer disposed on the radiation source layer; a casing layer disposed on the first electrically insulating layer, the casing layer including a composition configured to inhibit the passage of beta rays; a first electrode in electrical communication with the radiation source layer; a second electrode in electrical communication with the casing layer, wherein when the radiation source layer emits beta rays, a potential difference exists between the first electrode and the second electrode; The nuclear battery, wherein the first electrically insulating layer comprises a metal oxide.

4. A nuclear battery, a radiation source layer comprising a composition configurable to emit beta radiation; a first electrically insulating layer disposed on the radiation source layer; a casing layer disposed on the first electrically insulating layer, the casing layer including a composition configured to inhibit the passage of beta rays; a first electrode in electrical communication with the radiation source layer; a second electrode in electrical communication with the casing layer, wherein when the radiation source layer emits beta rays, a potential difference exists between the first electrode and the second electrode; 10. A nuclear battery, wherein the first electrically insulating layer comprises magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, diamond, or a combination thereof.

5. 10. The nuclear battery of claim 1, wherein the casing layer comprises a metal or metal alloy.

6. 10. The nuclear battery of claim 1, wherein the casing layer comprises aluminum, an aluminum alloy, magnesium, or a magnesium alloy.

7. A nuclear battery, a radiation source layer comprising a composition configurable to emit beta radiation; a first electrically insulating layer disposed on the radiation source layer; a casing layer disposed on the first electrically insulating layer, the casing layer including a composition configured to inhibit the passage of beta rays; a first electrode in electrical communication with the radiation source layer; a second electrode in electrical communication with the casing layer, wherein when the radiation source layer emits beta rays, a potential difference exists between the first electrode and the second electrode; The nuclear battery further comprises: a second electrically insulating layer disposed on the casing layer; a radiation shielding layer disposed on the second electrically insulating layer; a thermal energy collection device in physical contact with the radiation shielding layer and configured to convert thermal energy into electrical energy.

8. The nuclear battery of claim 7 further comprising a thermal insulation layer disposed on the radiation shielding layer.

9. The nuclear battery of claim 7 , wherein the thermal energy collection device comprises a thermocouple.

10. 8. The nuclear battery of claim 7, wherein the radiation shielding layer comprises a metal or a metal alloy.

11. 8. The nuclear battery of claim 7, wherein the radiation shielding layer comprises tungsten, a tungsten alloy, iron, an iron alloy, uranium, or a uranium alloy.

12. 8. The nuclear battery of claim 7, wherein the first electrode is electrically insulated from the casing layer and the radiation shielding layer.

13. 8. The nuclear battery of claim 7, wherein the second electrode is electrically insulated from the radiation shielding layer.

14. 10. The nuclear power battery of claim 1, wherein the nuclear power battery is configured to output at least 0.1 watts per cubic centimeter of volume of the nuclear power battery.

15. 2. The nuclear battery according to claim 1, wherein the radiation source layer is plate-shaped or rod-shaped.

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