Various aspects include electric generators configured to boost electrical output by leveraging electron avalanche generated by a high energy photon radiation source. In various aspects, an electric generator includes a stator and a rotor positioned within the stator, wherein the stator and rotor are configured to generate electric current when the rotor is rotated, and a high energy photon source (e.g., a gamma ray source) positioned and configured to irradiate at least a portion of conductors in the rotor or stator. In some aspects, the stator generates a magnetic field when the electric generator is operating, and the rotor includes armature windings configured to generate electric current when the rotor is rotated. In some aspects, the high energy photon source includes cobalt-60 and/or cesium-137.

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.

A perovskite radiovoltaic-photovoltaic battery having a first electrode, a first charge transport layer, a perovskite layer, a second charge transport layer, and a second electrode in sequence, wherein the first electrode is a transparent electrode, the first charge transport layer is an electron transport layer and the second charge transport layer is a hole transport layer, or the first charge transport layer is a hole transport layer and the second charge transport layer is an electron transport layer, and the second electrode is a radiating electrode formed by compounding an electrical conductor material with a radioactive source.

A perovskite radiovoltaic-photovoltaic battery having a first electrode, a first charge transport layer, a perovskite layer, a second charge transport layer, and a second electrode in sequence, wherein the first electrode is a transparent electrode, the first charge transport layer is an electron transport layer and the second charge transport layer is a hole transport layer, or the first charge transport layer is a hole transport layer and the second charge transport layer is an electron transport layer, and the second electrode is a radiating electrode formed by compounding an electrical conductor material with a radioactive source.

A method 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 method 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.

In a panel that uses the gamma radiation emitted by fission to produce electrical power, a source of an electrical current is connected to a layer of the panel made of a metal with a relatively high atomic number (Z) that forms an electron emitter. The emitter layer is surrounded by an insulation layer which in turn is surrounded by a relatively low Z value layer for collecting electrons from the emitter. Another layer of insulation and an outer sheath surround the collector. The improved panel may be used for reactor power level and power distribution measurements, and for initiating, maintaining or returning molten salt or metal coolants in the liquid state.

In a panel that uses the gamma radiation emitted by fission to produce electrical power, a source of an electrical current is connected to a layer of the panel made of a metal with a relatively high atomic number (Z) that forms an electron emitter. The emitter layer is surrounded by an insulation layer which in turn is surrounded by a relatively low Z value layer for collecting electrons from the emitter. Another layer of insulation and an outer sheath surround the collector. The improved panel may be used for reactor power level and power distribution measurements, and for initiating, maintaining or returning molten salt or metal coolants in the liquid state.

A modified Nuclear Thermionic Avalanche Cell (NTAC) to reduce back-scatter losses of avalanche electrons emitted by a NTAC. The present invention provides a novel topological surface configuration for electron collector layers in NTAC devices. Sawtooth configurations of the surface configurations of electron collector layers allow for the recapture of back-scattered electrons, increasing the efficiency of NTAC devices as well as reducing thermal loading and increasing NTAC efficiency.

A modified Nuclear Thermionic Avalanche Cell (NTAC) to reduce back-scatter losses of avalanche electrons emitted by a NTAC. The present invention provides a novel topological surface configuration for electron collector layers in NTAC devices. Sawtooth configurations of the surface configurations of electron collector layers allow for the recapture of back-scattered electrons, increasing the efficiency of NTAC devices as well as reducing thermal loading and increasing NTAC efficiency.