OVERVIEW

Conventional nuclear batteries, nuclear capacitors, or similar nuclear power generation systems rely upon nuclear fission induced by the collision of two subatomic particles. Generally, a subatomic particle, typically a neutron, is absorbed by the nucleus of a fissile material that fissions into two lighter elements and additional neutrons along with a release of energy. The fissile material in some cases can be a material such as uranium-235. Conventional systems, however, fail to capture the energy of other particles released during fission. The current disclosure describes methods and systems for the effective absorption or capture of isotope-emitted beta particles and high energy photons to maximize the power output. The methods and systems disclosed herein result in a more efficient means to produce power as effective absorption or capture of these high energy subatomic particles and high energy photons determines the power density of energy conversion systems.

Previous energy systems include nuclear batteries described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,269,463, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Methods and systems disclosed herein improve the energy conversion, production, and efficiency of Nuclear Thermionic Avalanche Cell (NTAC) related systems. Previous energy systems using a NTAC are described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,269,463, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The novel configuration and design of the NTAC disclosed herein takes advantage of an isotope's multiple internal interactions via a uniquely designed multiple layered structure of the NTAC. The unique design disclosed herein results in an energy conversion and power generation system with extremely high energy density output. The systems and methods disclosed herein would only require refueling every three to four decades (depending on the application) or perhaps longer. Such functionality could be attractive in applications where the energy-using device is very remote from energy refueling sources or where there are operational benefits associated with minimal refueling. Potential applications include use in drones, high altitude aircraft, public utility-scale electric power generation facilities, electric propulsion for automobiles and airplanes, power for remote and rural communities, nodal power without transmission lines, marine electric-propulsion onboard nautical vessels, spacecraft, and satellites.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a nuclear thermionic avalanche cell (NTAC) system comprising a radioisotope core, a plurality of thin-layered radioisotope sources configured to emit high energy beta particles and high energy photons, and a plurality of NTAC layers integrated with the radioisotope core and the radioisotope sources, wherein the plurality of NTAC layers are configured to receive the beta particles and the photons from the radioisotope core and sources, and by the received beta particles and photons free up electrons in an avalanche process from deep and intra bands of an atom to output a high density avalanche cell thermal energy through a photo-ionic process which is similar to a thermionic process of the freed up electrons but induced by photons. In some embodiments, the beta particles are electrons or positrons. In embodiments, the photons are x-rays, gamma rays, or visible UV light. In some embodiments, the radioisotope core and the thin-layered radioisotope sources may be Cobalt-60 or Sodium-22 or Cesium-137. In still other embodiments, the radioisotope may be nuclear waste or nuclear fuel. In some embodiments, the radioisotope core, the radioisotope sources, and the NTAC layers further comprise a thin emitter layer configured to capture the high energy beta particles and/or the high energy photons released from the radioisotope core and radioisotope sources. In some embodiments, the thin emitter layer comprises nanostructured surface of a high Z material (e.g., atomic number greater than 53). In some embodiments, a plurality of collectors are positioned between the NTAC layers, and the radioisotope core and sources wrapped with the thin emitter layer, and the plurality of collectors are configured to capture the high energy beta particles and/or the high energy photons emitted from the thin emitter layer. In yet other embodiments, the collectors comprise a low Z material (e.g., atomic number less than or equal to 20) or mid Z material (e.g., atomic number 21-53). In some implementations, the thin-layered radioisotope sources may have a thickness of millimeter (mm) scale, or may have a thickness of at least 3 to 5 mm. In another implementation, a thermoelectric generator may be configured to receive and convert the thermal waste energy from NTAC for additional output power to the high density avalanche cell power/thermal energy.

Another embodiment disclosed is a method of capturing high energy photons to generate power comprising, receiving high energy beta particles and high energy photons emitted from a radioisotope core and a plurality of thin-layered radioisotope sources integrated with a nuclear thermionic avalanche cell (NTAC), wherein the NTAC comprises a plurality of NTAC layers configured to receive the beta particles and the photons, outputting avalanche electrons using the received beta particles and high energy photons, guiding the avalanche electrons to cross over a vacuum gap to a collector, harnessing and running the electrons at the collector via a power circuit, and generating an electrical current. In some implementations, the radioisotope core, the thin-layered radioisotope sources, and the NTAC layers further comprise a thin emitter layer comprising a nanostructured surface of a high Z material.

Yet another embodiment disclosed is an energy conversion system comprising a radioisotope core, a plurality of thin-layered radioisotope sources configured to emit high energy beta particles and/or high energy photons, wherein the thin-layered radioisotope sources have a thickness from about 3 mm to about 5 mm, wherein the radioisotope core and the layered isotope sources comprise Cobolt-60 and/or Sodium-22, and/or Cesium-137, and a nuclear thermionic avalanche cell (NTAC) comprising a plurality of NTAC layers integrated with the radioisotope core and the radioisotope sources and configured to receive the beta particles and the photons from the radioisotope sources and, by the received beta particles and photons, free up electrons in an avalanche process from deep and intra bands of an atom to output a high density avalanche cell thermal energy through a photo-ionic emission process of the freed up electrons, wherein the NTAC layers comprise emitters with nanostructured surface of a high Z material and collectors of a mid Z material that sandwich the layer of electrical insulator, and a thermoelectric generator configured to receive and convert the waste thermal energy from NTAC system into additional output power, and wherein the waste thermal energy of NTAC is conductively transferred through the NTAC layers of emitter and collector, the radioisotope core, and the thin-layered radioisotope sources to the thermoelectric generators located at the top and bottom and surrounding of NTAC.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

