Radiation resistant PIDECα cell using photon intermediate direct energy conversion and a 210Po source

Charles L Weaver; Robert J Schott; Mark A Prelas; Denis A Wisniewski; Jason B Rothenberger; Eric D Lukosi; Kyuhak Oh

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.11.026

Radiation resistant PIDECα cell using photon intermediate direct energy conversion and a ²¹⁰Po source

Appl Radiat Isot. 2018 Feb:132:110-115. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.11.026. Epub 2017 Nov 28.

Authors

Charles L Weaver¹, Robert J Schott¹, Mark A Prelas², Denis A Wisniewski¹, Jason B Rothenberger¹, Eric D Lukosi¹, Kyuhak Oh¹

Affiliations

¹ Nuclear Science and Engineering Institute, University of Missouri, Lafferre Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, United States.
² Nuclear Science and Engineering Institute, University of Missouri, Lafferre Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, United States. Electronic address: prelasm@missouri.edu.

PMID: 29197822
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.11.026

Abstract

Radiation damage is a significant concern with both alphavoltaic and betavoltaic cells because their performance degrades, especially with high-energy - (>200keV) beta and alpha particles. Indirect excitation methods, such as the Photon Intermediate Direct Energy Conversion (PIDEC) framework, can protect the transducer from radiation. A nuclear battery using a ⁹⁰Sr beta source was constructed by the author's research group, which demonstrated the radiation resistance of a PIDEC cell driven by beta particles (PIDECβ cell). Use of alpha sources to drive nuclear batteries would appear to be much more attractive than beta sources due to higher potential power density. However, they are also subject to higher rates of radiation damage. This paper describes the successful incorporation of alpha particles into the PIDEC framework using the alpha emitter ²¹⁰Po to form a PIDECα cell. The PIDECα cell transducer was exposed to alpha particles for over one year without experiencing adverse effects from radiation damage.

Keywords: Alphavoltaic; Nuclear battery; PIDECα cell; Radiation damage.