An energy collection system may collect and use the energy generated by an electric field. Collection fibers are suspended from a support system. Radioactive material is placed on or near the collection fibers. The support system is electrically connected to a load by a connecting wire. The collection fibers may be made of any conducting material, but graphene, carbon and graphite are preferred. Diodes may be used to restrict the backflow or loss of energy.

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 the beta particles and generate electrical current, may include, in various embodiments, GaAs, InAlP, InGaP, InAlGaP, AlGaAs, and other semiconductor materials. A beta particle 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.

A dynamic isotope battery includes: a metallic canal; a housing, defining a chamber for accommodating a heat source and provided with a non-return valve, two opposite ends of the housing being communicated with two ends of the metallic canal respectively to form a closed circulation loop; a fuel cartridge fixedly disposed within the housing; a radioactive source contained in the fuel cartridge; a liquid metal provided in the circulation loop; a piezoelectric transduction component disposed on an inner surface of the metallic canal; a heat dissipation structure, provided at an outer surface of the metallic canal and spaced apart from the piezoelectric transduction component along an axial direction of the metallic canal; and an electromagnetic pump, provided at the metallic canal for driving circular flow of the liquid metal.

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 dynamic isotope battery includes: a metallic canal; a housing, defining a chamber for accommodating a heat source and provided with a non-return valve, two opposite ends of the housing being communicated with two ends of the metallic canal respectively to form a closed circulation loop; a fuel cartridge fixedly disposed within the housing; a radioactive source contained in the fuel cartridge; a liquid metal provided in the circulation loop; a piezoelectric transduction component disposed on an inner surface of the metallic canal; a heat dissipation structure, provided at an outer surface of the metallic canal and spaced apart from the piezoelectric transduction component along an axial direction of the metallic canal; and an electromagnetic pump, provided at the metallic canal for driving circular flow of the liquid metal.

A dynamic isotope battery includes: a metallic canal; a housing, defining a chamber for accommodating a heat source and provided with a non-return valve, two opposite ends of the housing being communicated with two ends of the metallic canal respectively to form a closed circulation loop; a fuel cartridge fixedly disposed within the housing; a radioactive source contained in the fuel cartridge; a liquid metal provided in the circulation loop; a piezoelectric transduction component disposed on an inner surface of the metallic canal; a heat dissipation structure, provided at an outer surface of the metallic canal and spaced apart from the piezoelectric transduction component along an axial direction of the metallic canal; and an electromagnetic pump, provided at the metallic canal for driving circular flow of the liquid metal.

Provided herein are charge generating devices and methods of making and use thereof. The charge generating devices comprise a substrate having a top surface; a plurality of spaced-apart three-dimensional elements disposed on the top surface of the substrate; and a plurality of cavities formed by the plurality of spaced-apart three-dimensional elements, the plurality of cavities being the area between the plurality of spaced-apart three-dimensional elements. The charge generating devices can further comprise a radioactive layer disposed on at least a portion of the plurality of spaced-apart three-dimensional elements and the top surface such that the plurality of cavities and the top surface are substantially coated by the radioactive layer. In some examples, the charge generating devices can comprise a radiation material and/or a scintillating material disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of cavities.

Provided herein are charge generating devices and methods of making and use thereof. The charge generating devices comprise a substrate having a top surface; a plurality of spaced-apart three-dimensional elements disposed on the top surface of the substrate; and a plurality of cavities formed by the plurality of spaced-apart three-dimensional elements, the plurality of cavities being the area between the plurality of spaced-apart three-dimensional elements. The charge generating devices can further comprise a radioactive layer disposed on at least a portion of the plurality of spaced-apart three-dimensional elements and the top surface such that the plurality of cavities and the top surface are substantially coated by the radioactive layer. In some examples, the charge generating devices can comprise a radiation material and/or a scintillating material disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of cavities.

A self-powered integral in-core instrument thimble assembly for monitoring the temperature and radiation levels surrounding a nuclear fuel assembly, that transmits output signals wirelessly to a remote location. The in-core instrument thimble assembly is activated by a short exposure within a reactor core and remains active after the fuel assembly is removed from the reactor core to continuously provide a remote monitoring capability for the fuel assembly as it is transported or stored at a remote location, without an external power source.