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.

A cooling system for spent nuclear fuel may include a device configured to generate electricity using energy emitted from the spent nuclear fuel. The cooling system may be configured to use the electricity when cooling the spent nuclear fuel. A cask for storage, transport, or storage and transport of spent nuclear fuel may include the cooling system and a container configured to hold the spent nuclear fuel. A method for cooling spent nuclear fuel may include generating electricity using energy emitted from the spent nuclear fuel, and using the electricity in a cooling system for the spent nuclear fuel when cooling the spent nuclear fuel.

A technique that uses a thermoelectric generator for generating electrical power employs a safe, initially dormant, stable, non-radioactive fuel sample which is activated on-demand by a neutron source to initiate and control activation of the fuel sample. The technique allows thermoelectric generators to be fully assembled and stored for extended periods of time before they are deployed for use, and then activated on demand only when the need arises for them to generate power.

A nuclear battery is provided. The nuclear battery comprises a radiation source layer, a first electrical insulator layer, a casing layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The radiation source layer comprises a composition configurable to emit beta radiation. The first electrical insulator layer is disposed over the radiation source layer. The casing layer is disposed over the first electrical insulator layer. The casing layer comprises a composition configured to inhibit traversal of beta radiation. The first electrode is in electrical communication with the radiation source layer. The second electrode is in electrical communication with the casing layer. A voltage potential is present between the first electrode and the second electrode when the radiation source layer emits beta radiation.

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 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.

Provided herein is a method for fabricating a heat source for a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG). The method may include reducing a particle size in a strontium compound by powdering and sieving the strontium compound and/or dissolving the strontium compound into an aqueous solution; mixing the strontium compound with graphite to obtain a strontium-graphite mixture; performing a press to the strontium-graphite mixture; and encapsulating the pressed strontium-graphite mixture into an x-ray shielding to obtain the heat source.

Scalable radioisotope power tiles that can provide heat, electrical power, or both, are disclosed. Unlike conventional radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) designs, the scalable radioisotope power tiles do not necessarily seek to minimize the RTG surface area. Rather, a planar design may be used to maximize the radiative surface to increase the temperature difference (T) and increase system heat to electricity conversion efficiency where electrical power generation is desired. In addition, such a planar design can be one-sided or two-sided, allowing for flexibility in design. For instance, such power tiles may be deployed in a material like a solar sail, on the surface of a vehicle, in terrestrial systems, etc.

Voltage power source device having a connected structure in which each one of ends of a first metal and a second metal that generate the Seebeck effect are connected by a one-end side bonding part in which uranium and thorium are supported on a carrier made of boron, and the other ends are connected by an other bonding part in which uranium and thorium are supported on a carrier made of carbon. The one-end side bonding part is raised to a first temperature through -decay of uranium (U) and thorium (Th), and the other bonding part is raised to a second temperature that is different from the first temperature through -decay of uranium (U) and thorium (Th), whereby a current is generated by the Seebeck effect based on the relative temperature difference between the two bonding parts. Voltage power source device and power generation method enable next-generation type energy supply.

Voltage power source device having a connected structure in which each one of ends of a first metal and a second metal that generate the Seebeck effect are connected by a one-end side bonding part in which uranium and thorium are supported on a carrier made of boron, and the other ends are connected by an other bonding part in which uranium and thorium are supported on a carrier made of carbon. The one-end side bonding part is raised to a first temperature through -decay of uranium (U) and thorium (Th), and the other bonding part is raised to a second temperature that is different from the first temperature through -decay of uranium (U) and thorium (Th), whereby a current is generated by the Seebeck effect based on the relative temperature difference between the two bonding parts. Voltage power source device and power generation method enable next-generation type energy supply.