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Search for nuclear isotopes for use in a nuclear battery

Publication ,  Journal Article
Guenther, BD; Weller, HR; Godwin, JL
Published in: Journal of Propulsion and Power
January 1, 2001

Performance of a radioisotopic thermoelectric generator for a human-portable energy source is discussed. The design of thermoelectric generators is not considered. Instead desirable characteristics of the radioisotope are used to search for reasonable candidates with a half-life measured in weeks and generating radiation that could easily be shielded. Because radioisotopes with short half-lives would have limited shelf-lives, a search was undertaken to discover if isomers with different decay paths existed with characteristics that would lead to a useful energy generator design. The results indicate several interesting cases for energy storage in radioactive isotopes. Two of the most interesting cases uncovered were 121Te and 254Es. However, intermediate levels that could be used to connect the various nuclear energy levels are not currently known. Measurements of transition rates that can be stimulated between the desired levels are also needed to determine the practicality of this concept. Such research is now possible using the intense gamma beam that can be produced using free-electron laser light backscattered from relativistic electrons.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Propulsion and Power

DOI

EISSN

1533-3876

ISSN

0748-4658

Publication Date

January 1, 2001

Volume

17

Issue

3

Start / End Page

540 / 546

Related Subject Headings

  • Aerospace & Aeronautics
  • 4001 Aerospace engineering
  • 0913 Mechanical Engineering
  • 0901 Aerospace Engineering
  • 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics
 

Citation

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Guenther, B. D., Weller, H. R., & Godwin, J. L. (2001). Search for nuclear isotopes for use in a nuclear battery. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 17(3), 540–546. https://doi.org/10.2514/2.5809
Guenther, B. D., H. R. Weller, and J. L. Godwin. “Search for nuclear isotopes for use in a nuclear battery.” Journal of Propulsion and Power 17, no. 3 (January 1, 2001): 540–46. https://doi.org/10.2514/2.5809.
Guenther BD, Weller HR, Godwin JL. Search for nuclear isotopes for use in a nuclear battery. Journal of Propulsion and Power. 2001 Jan 1;17(3):540–6.
Guenther, B. D., et al. “Search for nuclear isotopes for use in a nuclear battery.” Journal of Propulsion and Power, vol. 17, no. 3, Jan. 2001, pp. 540–46. Scopus, doi:10.2514/2.5809.
Guenther BD, Weller HR, Godwin JL. Search for nuclear isotopes for use in a nuclear battery. Journal of Propulsion and Power. 2001 Jan 1;17(3):540–546.

Published In

Journal of Propulsion and Power

DOI

EISSN

1533-3876

ISSN

0748-4658

Publication Date

January 1, 2001

Volume

17

Issue

3

Start / End Page

540 / 546

Related Subject Headings

  • Aerospace & Aeronautics
  • 4001 Aerospace engineering
  • 0913 Mechanical Engineering
  • 0901 Aerospace Engineering
  • 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics