A solid-state high energy-density micro radioisotope power source device including a dielectric and radiation shielding body having an internal cavity, a first electrode disposed a first end of the cavity, and a second electrode disposed at an opposing second end of the cavity and spaced apart from the first electrode such that a micro chamber is provided therebetween. The device further includes a solid-state composite voltaic semiconductor disposed within the micro chamber fabricated by combining at least one semiconductor material with at least one radioisotope material to provide a pre-voltaic semiconductor composition; depositing the pre-voltaic semiconductor composition into the micro chamber; heating the body to liquefy the pre-voltaic semiconductor composition within the micro chamber such that the semiconductor and radioisotope materials are uniformly mixed; and cooling the body and liquid state composite mixture such that liquid state composite mixture solidifies to provide the solid-state composite voltaic semiconductor.

An electricity generation apparatus is disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a plasma container for containing a plasma sustained by radioactive decay. The plasma container has an inlet through which, in use of the apparatus, water can be introduced to the plasma container, and an outlet through which, in use of the apparatus, material can be expelled from the container. The exhausted material can include hydrogen and oxygen resulting from the dissociation of water molecules caused by interactions within the plasma. A separator can separate hydrogen from the material exhausted from the plasma container, which separator is coupled to the outlet, and a generator can generate electricity using the hydrogen as a fuel.

An electricity generation apparatus is disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a plasma container for containing a plasma sustained by radioactive decay. The plasma container has an inlet through which, in use of the apparatus, water can be introduced to the plasma container, and an outlet through which, in use of the apparatus, material can be expelled from the container. The exhausted material can include hydrogen and oxygen resulting from the dissociation of water molecules caused by interactions within the plasma. A separator can separate hydrogen from the material exhausted from the plasma container, which separator is coupled to the outlet, and a generator can generate electricity using the hydrogen as a fuel.

A method and apparatus for collecting and storing the energy emitted by radioisotopes in the form of alpha and or beta particles is described. The present invention incorporates aspects of four different energy conversion and storage technologies, those being: Nuclear alpha and or beta particle capture for direct energy conversion and storage, fuel cells, rechargeable electrochemical storage cells and capacitive electrical energy storage.

A system for monitoring an excimer bulb includes a thermoelectric energy harvester configured to be located adjacent to the excimer bulb and to convert thermal energy from the excimer bulb into electrical energy having a voltage. The system further includes a controller in electrical communication with the thermoelectric energy harvester and configured to calculate at least one of a remaining useful life of the excimer bulb or a current temperature of the excimer bulb based on the voltage of the electrical energy converted by the thermoelectric energy harvester.

A system for monitoring an excimer bulb includes a thermoelectric energy harvester configured to be located adjacent to the excimer bulb and to convert thermal energy from the excimer bulb into electrical energy having a voltage. The system further includes a controller in electrical communication with the thermoelectric energy harvester and configured to calculate at least one of a remaining useful life of the excimer bulb or a current temperature of the excimer bulb based on the voltage of the electrical energy converted by the thermoelectric energy harvester.

A betavoltaic power source. The betavoltaic power source comprises a source of beta particles, a substrate with shaped features defined therein and a InGaP betavoltaic junction disposed between the source of beta particles and the substrate, and also having shaped features therein responsive to the shaped features in the substrate, the InGaP betavoltaic junction device for collecting the beta particles and for generating electron hole pairs responsive thereto.

The present application discloses methods and apparatus for conversion of quantized vibrational energy. The present application discloses, by driving a medium that comprises arranged nuclei with one or more selected driving frequencies, the arranged nuclei in the medium are induced to oscillate coherently at one or more oscillating frequencies. The mechanical vibrational energy of the oscillating nuclei interacts with the oscillating medium. The interaction between the vibrational energy and the oscillating medium effectuates up-conversion or down-conversion of quantized vibrational energy.

The present application discloses methods and apparatus for conversion of quantized vibrational energy. The present application discloses, by driving a medium that comprises arranged nuclei with one or more selected driving frequencies, the arranged nuclei in the medium are induced to oscillate coherently at one or more oscillating frequencies. The mechanical vibrational energy of the oscillating nuclei interacts with the oscillating medium. The interaction between the vibrational energy and the oscillating medium effectuates up-conversion or down-conversion of quantized vibrational energy.

A system can include one or more wellbore tools, a pressure-containment housing, and an atomic battery. The one or more wellbore tools can be positioned in a wellbore to perform one or more wellbore operations. The pressure-containment housing can be positioned in the wellbore. The atomic battery can be positioned in the pressure-containment housing and can be coupled with the one or more wellbore tools to provide continuous electrical power to the one or more wellbore tools to facilitate the one or more wellbore operations.