A radioisotope power source is disclosed. In one embodiment, the power source includes a dielectric liquid held within a vessel, a radioisotope material dissolved as an ionic salt within the dielectric liquid thereby forming an ionic salt solution, and a thermal-to-electric power conversion system configured to receive thermal heat generated from the decay of the radioisotope material and to generate electrical power.

A radioisotope power source is disclosed. In one embodiment, the power source includes a dielectric liquid held within a vessel, a radioisotope material dissolved as an ionic salt within the dielectric liquid thereby forming an ionic salt solution, and a thermal-to-electric power conversion system configured to receive thermal heat generated from the decay of the radioisotope material and to generate electrical power.

A device for producing electricity. In one embodiment, the device comprises a doped germanium or a doped GaAs substrate and a plurality of stacked material layers (some of which are doped) above the substrate. These stacked material layers, which capture beta particles and generate electrical current, may include, in various embodiments, GaAs, InAlP, InGaP, InAlGaP, AlGaAs, and other semiconductor materials. A radioisotope source generates beta particles that impinge the stack, create electron-hole pairs, and thereby generate electrical current. In another embodiment the device comprises a plurality of epi-liftoff layers and a backing support material. The devices can be connected in series or parallel.

Systems, methods, and devices for electrical power generation are disclosed. A device includes a radioactive source that emits radiation including at least one of: electrically charged particles; electrically neutral particles; or electromagnetic radiation; an ion media positioned adjacent to the radioactive source, wherein the ion media comprises a material that releases electrons in response to exposure to radiation; a set of two or more electrodes configured to: establish an electric field across the ion media; capture electrons released by the ion media in response to exposure to radiation emitted by the radioactive source; and generate electric current from the captured electrons. The device includes a supplemental power supply electrically connected to the set of two or more electrodes. The device includes an electrical load electrically connected to the set of two or more electrodes.

Systems, methods, and devices for electrical power generation are disclosed. A device includes a radioactive source that emits radiation including at least one of: electrically charged particles; electrically neutral particles; or electromagnetic radiation; an ion media positioned adjacent to the radioactive source, wherein the ion media comprises a material that releases electrons in response to exposure to radiation; a set of two or more electrodes configured to: establish an electric field across the ion media; capture electrons released by the ion media in response to exposure to radiation emitted by the radioactive source; and generate electric current from the captured electrons. The device includes a supplemental power supply electrically connected to the set of two or more electrodes. The device includes an electrical load electrically connected to the set of two or more electrodes.

The system for storage includes spent nuclear fuel arranged in a drift and at least one first mechanical structure configured to cause a target material to move in the drift. The at least one first mechanical structure is configured to at least assist in actively controlling an exposure rate of the target material to the spent nuclear fuel while the target material is being exposed to the spent nuclear fuel. The system includes at least one second mechanical structure configured to remove the target material from the drift after the target material is exposed to the spent nuclear fuel.

The system for storage includes spent nuclear fuel arranged in a drift and at least one first mechanical structure configured to cause a target material to move in the drift. The at least one first mechanical structure is configured to at least assist in actively controlling an exposure rate of the target material to the spent nuclear fuel while the target material is being exposed to the spent nuclear fuel. The system includes at least one second mechanical structure configured to remove the target material from the drift after the target material is exposed to the spent nuclear fuel.

A thermionic (TI) power cell includes a heat source, such as a layer of radioactive material that generates heat due to radioactive decay, a layer of electron emitting material disposed on the layer of radioactive material, and a layer of electron collecting material. The layer of electron emitting material is physically separated from the layer of electron collecting material to define a chamber between the layer of electron collecting material and the layer of electron emitting material. The chamber is substantially evacuated to permit electrons to traverse the chamber from the layer of electron emitting material to the layer of electron collecting material. Heat generated over time by the layer of radioactive material causes a substantially constant flow of electrons to be emitted by the layer of electron emitting material to induce an electric current to flow through the layer of electron collecting material when connected to an electrical load.

A thermionic (TI) power cell includes a heat source, such as a layer of radioactive material that generates heat due to radioactive decay, a layer of electron emitting material disposed on the layer of radioactive material, and a layer of electron collecting material. The layer of electron emitting material is physically separated from the layer of electron collecting material to define a chamber between the layer of electron collecting material and the layer of electron emitting material. The chamber is substantially evacuated to permit electrons to traverse the chamber from the layer of electron emitting material to the layer of electron collecting material. Heat generated over time by the layer of radioactive material causes a substantially constant flow of electrons to be emitted by the layer of electron emitting material to induce an electric current to flow through the layer of electron collecting material when connected to an electrical load.

A nuclear fuel cell includes a net neutron-producing material, a neutron-consuming material, and a neutron-moderating material. Upon exposure of the net-producing material, the neutron-moderating material, and the neutron-consuming material to a neutron source, a ratio of the net neutron-producing material to (i) the neutron-consuming material and (ii) the neutron-moderating material is operable to convert neutrons into charged particles without producing net neutrons.