Power sources based on semiconductor converters using the beta-voltaic effect. The Beta-voltaic battery comprises housing and cover, semiconductor converters, insulating and radioisotope elements and conductive contacts configured to make one or several packs connected in parallel and (or) in series. The pack is assembled from converters, whose opposite-polar surfaces face each other, with conductive radioisotope elements placed between them. The packs are separated by insulating elements, along the perimeter of which grooves are evenly spaced. The opposite grooves have conductive contacts designed in such a way as to electrical connect to both the conductive contacts of the extreme semiconductor converters of each pack and the controller. Highly enriched Nickel-63 is used as a radioisotope element, which is deposited on n-layers of semiconductor converters.

A method and apparatus for energy production comprising providing reactive material containing, at least, an exothermic double electron capture capable isotope and supplying pair-formation energy to at least part of the reactive material to form at least one irreversible double electron capture capable nuclei-pair to produce a net exothermic reaction is disclosed. The reactive material may comprise a metallic alloy. A method and apparatus for energy production comprising heating a three or more element metallic alloy in a chemically inert atmosphere to initiate and/or sustain an exothermic reaction between at least two of the metallic elements of the alloy is herein disclosed. The pressure at the surface of the metallic alloy may be maintained below 1000 atm. The reaction may be initiated, maintained or re-initiated by temperature cycling within a target temperature range. The heat from the reaction may be converted to electric energy by means of a stacked thermophotovoltaic arrangement, comprising a hot surface, a first stage photovoltaic element, a photoemissive LED and a second stage photovoltaic element.

A method and apparatus for energy production comprising providing reactive material containing, at least, an exothermic double electron capture capable isotope and supplying pair-formation energy to at least part of the reactive material to form at least one irreversible double electron capture capable nuclei-pair to produce a net exothermic reaction is disclosed. The reactive material may comprise a metallic alloy. A method and apparatus for energy production comprising heating a three or more element metallic alloy in a chemically inert atmosphere to initiate and/or sustain an exothermic reaction between at least two of the metallic elements of the alloy is herein disclosed. The pressure at the surface of the metallic alloy may be maintained below 1000 atm. The reaction may be initiated, maintained or re-initiated by temperature cycling within a target temperature range. The heat from the reaction may be converted to electric energy by means of a stacked thermophotovoltaic arrangement, comprising a hot surface, a first stage photovoltaic element, a photoemissive LED and a second stage photovoltaic element.

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 neutron absorbing insert for use in a fuel rack. In one aspect, the insert includes: a plate structure having a first wall and a second wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall; the first and second walls being formed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement that is bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease; and a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed into the single panel along the crease prior to bending.

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 system for an electro magnetic oscillator tube with enhanced isotopes is disclosed herein having at least one magnetron layer. Each layer has a first magnet, a conduction block, and a second magnet of opposite polarity. The conduction block is disposed in a plane about an emitter of isotopic particles, where an opposite electrical polarity relative to the emitter forms between the emitter and the conduction block. The conduction block has an RF port, an interaction space in its inner periphery, and a polar array of resonant cavities forming along its outer periphery, and a diamond or similar material coating the conduction block surfaces. The system also has a connection between selected groups of resonant cavities at locations of like electrical polarity, wherein the connections have conductive strapping elements within the conduction block.

A system for an electro magnetic oscillator tube with enhanced isotopes is disclosed herein having at least one magnetron layer. Each layer has a first magnet, a conduction block, and a second magnet of opposite polarity. The conduction block is disposed in a plane about an emitter of isotopic particles, where an opposite electrical polarity relative to the emitter forms between the emitter and the conduction block. The conduction block has an RF port, an interaction space in its inner periphery, and a polar array of resonant cavities forming along its outer periphery, and a diamond or similar material coating the conduction block surfaces. The system also has a connection between selected groups of resonant cavities at locations of like electrical polarity, wherein the connections have conductive strapping elements within the conduction block.