The present disclosure is directed to nuclear thermionic avalanche cell (NTAC) systems and related methods of generating energy from captured high energy photons. Huge numbers of electrons in the intra-band of atom can be liberated through bound-to-free transition when coupled with high energy photons. If a power conversion process effectively utilizes these liberated electrons in an avalanche form through a power conversion circuit, the power output will be drastically increased. The power density of a system can be multiplied by the rate of high energy photon absorption. The present disclosure describes a system and methods built with multilayers of nuclear thermionic avalanche cells for the generation of energy. The multilayer structure of NTAC devices offers effective recoverable means to capture and harness the energy of gamma photons for useful purposes such as power systems for deep space exploration.

The present disclosure is directed to nuclear thermionic avalanche cell (NTAC) systems and related methods of generating energy from captured high energy photons. Huge numbers of electrons in the intra-band of atom can be liberated through bound-to-free transition when coupled with high energy photons. If a power conversion process effectively utilizes these liberated electrons in an avalanche form through a power conversion circuit, the power output will be drastically increased. The power density of a system can be multiplied by the rate of high energy photon absorption. The present disclosure describes a system and methods built with multilayers of nuclear thermionic avalanche cells for the generation of energy. The multilayer structure of NTAC devices offers effective recoverable means to capture and harness the energy of gamma photons for useful purposes such as power systems for deep space exploration.

The present invention relates to a betavoltaic battery and a method of manufacturing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a betavoltaic battery characterized in that .sup.14C, a radioisotope, is formed in the form of quantum dots and .sup.14C is used as the cathode and the beta-ray source of the betavoltaic battery and a method of manufacturing the betavoltaic battery.

The present invention relates to a betavoltaic battery and a method of manufacturing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a betavoltaic battery characterized in that .sup.14C, a radioisotope, is formed in the form of quantum dots and .sup.14C is used as the cathode and the beta-ray source of the betavoltaic battery and a method of manufacturing the betavoltaic battery.

Electric An Electric Power Generation System generates electric power by capturing energy released from transmutation/conversion of one or more chemical element(s) into one or more other element/s, using any one or more elements of the periodic table. The captured energy is converted into electricity in a rector. The system preferably includes a transmutation reactor and an energy capturing system coupled to the reactor that converts captured energy into electricity, and connecting the electric energy to the electric grid or uses it on site power generation. In particular, the energy released in the of transmutation process is directly converted into electric power. Preferably, transmutation products that emerge in the form of charged particles, X-rays and heat, release energy removed from the fusion product ions as they spiral past electrodes of an inverse cyclotron converter.

Electric An Electric Power Generation System generates electric power by capturing energy released from transmutation/conversion of one or more chemical element(s) into one or more other element/s, using any one or more elements of the periodic table. The captured energy is converted into electricity in a rector. The system preferably includes a transmutation reactor and an energy capturing system coupled to the reactor that converts captured energy into electricity, and connecting the electric energy to the electric grid or uses it on site power generation. In particular, the energy released in the of transmutation process is directly converted into electric power. Preferably, transmutation products that emerge in the form of charged particles, X-rays and heat, release energy removed from the fusion product ions as they spiral past electrodes of an inverse cyclotron converter.

A cooling system and method for Nuclear Thermionic Avalanche Cells (NT A Cs) Through cooling channels disposed within layers of the NTAC. The NTAC uses gamma ray radiations and/or energetic electrons which are emanated from the decay processes of radioactive materials 5 and operates continuously. The cooling system and method maximizes energy output of current NTAC devices, alleviates thermal loading issues inside a NTAC. The cooling system and method may also include radiative means for dissipating thermal energy, or in other embodiments capture thermal energy from a NTAC in addition to electrical energy generated by NTACs. Cooling channels are disposed within the layers of a NTAC and joined to a fluid and/or gas flow control system through top and bottom structures which incorporate cooling channels and allow fluid and/or gas to flow through the layers of a NT AC. Flow control systems may operate the cooling system and method through one or more isolated cooling system loops, and may include sensors, valves, and other flow control means to optimize operation and utilization of the cooling system and method, as well as capture of thermal energy from a NTAC.

A cooling system and method for Nuclear Thermionic Avalanche Cells (NT A Cs) Through cooling channels disposed within layers of the NTAC. The NTAC uses gamma ray radiations and/or energetic electrons which are emanated from the decay processes of radioactive materials 5 and operates continuously. The cooling system and method maximizes energy output of current NTAC devices, alleviates thermal loading issues inside a NTAC. The cooling system and method may also include radiative means for dissipating thermal energy, or in other embodiments capture thermal energy from a NTAC in addition to electrical energy generated by NTACs. Cooling channels are disposed within the layers of a NTAC and joined to a fluid and/or gas flow control system through top and bottom structures which incorporate cooling channels and allow fluid and/or gas to flow through the layers of a NT AC. Flow control systems may operate the cooling system and method through one or more isolated cooling system loops, and may include sensors, valves, and other flow control means to optimize operation and utilization of the cooling system and method, as well as capture of thermal energy from a NTAC.

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.

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.