Stacked Isotope Electrode Sheets for High-Density Nuclear Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing isotope batteries do not achieve high energy density in electrical energy generation.
Innovation Solution
A stack-type isotope battery design comprising multiple stacked isotope electrode sheets with a substrate having a first and second doping layer forming a p-n junction, where a radiation source is accommodated in a cavity within the substrate, and connected by external electrodes for efficient energy conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single isotope battery structure is used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but the energy density is low
Solution Approach 1:
The isotope battery is divided into multiple isotope electrode sheets stacked together, each sheet containing a substrate with a cavity housing a radiation source. This segmentation allows multiple energy conversion units to be combined, increasing total energy density while maintaining a modular structure that is manageable in complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation source is accommodated within a cavity in the substrate, and the isotope electrode sheets are stacked within a housing. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization and energy density while keeping the overall device structure compact and organized
2Quantity of substance
If radiation sources are placed directly in contact with semiconductor material, then energy conversion is efficient, but manufacturing precision is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is designed with a specific cavity structure that locally concentrates the radiation source in an optimal position relative to the semiconductor material. This localized design ensures efficient energy conversion at the critical interface while the cavity provides manufacturing tolerance for precise positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity acts as an intermediary structure between the radiation source and the semiconductor material, facilitating optimal positioning and energy transfer while simplifying the manufacturing process by providing a defined mounting location
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design generates electrical energy with high energy density by effectively converting radiation into electron-hole pairs, enhancing energy conversion efficiency and density.
Implementation Method 1
Radiation emitted by radioactive isotopes can be absorbed through the surface of a p-n junction semiconductor and converted into electrical energy. The radiation generates electron-hole pairs in the space charge region of the p-n junction semiconductor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A stack-type isotope battery comprises: a plurality of stacked isotope electrode sheets, each of the isotope electrode sheets including: a substrate having a first layer and a second layer and a cavity extending in the substrate thickness direction; and a radiation source accommodated in the cavity, wherein the first layer is interposed between the radiation source and the second layer, wherein the plurality of isotope electrode sheets are stacked on top of one another in a direction parallel to the substrate thickness direction; and a first external electrode of first polarity and a second external electrode of second polarity respectively connected to the plurality of stacked isotope electrode sheets to provide an electrical connection to an external load. The substrate has a chemical formula of AMO3 (where A is one or more selected from the group consisting of La, Ba, Sr, and K, and M is one or more selected from the group consisting of Al, In, Ga, Ti, Sn, Hf, Ta, and Zr). The first layer is doped with dopants of a first conductive type and a second layer is either doped with dopants of a second conductive type different from the first conductive type or undoped.