A thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including one or more electron collectors, interfacial layers, encapsulation, and/or electron emitters. A method for manufacturing the thermionic energy conversion system. A method of operation for a thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.

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.

Sealed containers for radioactive material are presented herein. A sealed container forms an interior envelope for housing a radioactive material and prevents escape of the radioactive material into a surrounding environment. The sealed container provides a diffusion window for gaseous decay products to escape at a particular diffusion rate. In one example, an apparatus, comprises a container forming a sealed interior envelope for a radioactive material. The container has an aperture covered by a window material, and properties of the window material are selected to provide for diffusion of at least one gas produced by radioactive decay of the radioactive material.

Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments may provide a portable power system for powering small devices that may be small, may be compact, may provide continuous power, and may be lightweight enough for an astronaut to carry. Various embodiments may provide a compact, thermionic-based cell that provides increased energy density and that more efficiently uses a heat source, such as a Pu-238 heat source. Nanometer scale emitters, spaced tightly together, in various embodiments convert a larger amount of heat into usable electricity than in current thermoelectric technology. The emitters of the various embodiments may be formed from various materials, such as copper (Cu), silicon (Si), silicon-germanium (SiGe), and lanthanides. Various embodiments may be added to regenerative thermionic cells with multiple layers to enhance the energy conversion efficiency of the regenerative thermionic cells.

Devices, systems, and methods for power generation using irradiators and other gamma ray sources are disclosed herein. In various aspects, an irradiator-based power generation device is disclosed. The power generation device can include a radiator layer configured to at least partially surround an irradiator, wherein the radiator layer comprises a radiator material configured to emit delta radiation in response to exposure to gamma radiation; an electrical insulation layer configured to surround the radiator layer, wherein the electrical insulation layer comprises an electrical insulation material configured to allow delta radiation to penetrate therethrough; and a collector layer configured to surround the electrical insulation layer, wherein the collector layer comprises a collector material configured to collect delta radiation.

Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments described herein enable an energy conversion system comprising a radioactive element for generating conduction-band electrons in an avalanche cell and generating heat, wherein the conduction-band electrons are provided to an anode to generate avalanche cell power, and the heat is provided to a thermoelectric generator to generate thermoelectric power. In an embodiment, the avalanche cell is irradiated with gamma rays, which excite electrons within the avalanche cell, generating a current. In an additional embodiment, the thermoelectric power and avalanche cell power can comprise a dual power system.

Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments described herein enable an energy conversion system comprising a radioactive element for generating conduction-band electrons in an avalanche cell and generating heat, wherein the conduction-band electrons are provided to an anode to generate avalanche cell power, and the heat is provided to a thermoelectric generator to generate thermoelectric power. In an embodiment, the avalanche cell is irradiated with gamma rays, which excite electrons within the avalanche cell, generating a current. In an additional embodiment, the thermoelectric power and avalanche cell power can comprise a dual power system.

Techniques are provided for the absorption of energy carried by nuclear radiation by an emitter electrode and converting the energy to useful electrical work. An emitter electrode is provided which absorbs energy from nuclear radiation and emits a thermoelectron current, configured such that parasitic energy loss via direct thermal transport and thermal photon emission is minimized. A thermoelectron energy converter is provided which includes an emitter electrode, a nuclear source in the vicinity of the emitter electrode, a collector electrode, an enclosure, and electrical leads. Nuclear events within the nuclear source causes electron emission from the emitter electrode. The electrons emitted from the emitter electrode travel to the collector electrode and can be driven through an external circuit, outputting electrical power.

A thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including one or more electron collectors, interfacial layers, encapsulation, and/or electron emitters. A method for manufacturing the thermionic energy conversion system. A method of operation for a thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.

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.