Application of Radioactive Isotopes for Beta-Voltaic Generators
- Authors: Bykov A.S.1, Polisan A.A.1, Chichkov M.V.1, Temirov A.A.1, Zhukov R.N.1, Ksenich S.V.1, Kiselev D.A.1, Kislyuk A.M.1, Kubasov I.V.1, Malinkovich M.D.1, Parkhomenko Y.N.1
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Affiliations:
- The National University of Science and Technology MISiS
- Issue: Vol 46, No 8 (2017)
- Pages: 527-539
- Section: Article
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/1063-7397/article/view/186713
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063739717080054
- ID: 186713
Cite item
Abstract
The features of using radioactive isotopes when creating off-line power supplies are considered. The analysis of the substances used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) is carried out. The prospects for manufacturing beta-voltaic generators are justified and they are compared with other electric power sources. The mechanism of β-decay and its place among other types of nuclear transformations is considered. The basic requirements for radiation safety and the used materials of the frame and converter are formulated. Some designs of radioisotope beta-voltaic sources proposed earlier are considered. A list of isotopes that can be used as a power source in a beta-voltaic generator is presented. The methods for obtaining the radioactive materials demonstrating β-decay and their basic properties and natural isotopes are considered. It is concluded that the choice of nickel-63 isotope is preferable for use in beta-voltaic generators due to the optimal combination of its half lifetime, average particle energy, and radiation intensity.
About the authors
A. S. Bykov
The National University of Science and Technology MISiS
Author for correspondence.
Email: xalexx1349@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119049
A. A. Polisan
The National University of Science and Technology MISiS
Email: xalexx1349@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119049
M. V. Chichkov
The National University of Science and Technology MISiS
Email: xalexx1349@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119049
A. A. Temirov
The National University of Science and Technology MISiS
Email: xalexx1349@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119049
R. N. Zhukov
The National University of Science and Technology MISiS
Email: xalexx1349@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119049
S. V. Ksenich
The National University of Science and Technology MISiS
Email: xalexx1349@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119049
D. A. Kiselev
The National University of Science and Technology MISiS
Email: xalexx1349@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119049
A. M. Kislyuk
The National University of Science and Technology MISiS
Email: xalexx1349@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119049
I. V. Kubasov
The National University of Science and Technology MISiS
Email: xalexx1349@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119049
M. D. Malinkovich
The National University of Science and Technology MISiS
Email: xalexx1349@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119049
Yu. N. Parkhomenko
The National University of Science and Technology MISiS
Email: xalexx1349@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow, 119049