The document discusses nuclear batteries, which convert radioactive decay into electricity. It begins with an introduction explaining the need for small, light-weight power sources. The history of nuclear batteries is then summarized, noting early research from 1913-1960 focused on long-life power sources for space. The document outlines two main energy conversion techniques - thermal and non-thermal. Specific conversion methods like radioisotope thermoelectric generators, betavoltaics, and thermionics are described. Applications discussed include use in space missions, medical devices, and potential future uses in automobiles and military equipment. In conclusion, nuclear batteries show promise but require further research regarding feasibility, disposal, and radiation safety standards.

1. A Seminar Presentation On
Nuclear Battery
Presented By:
Pravinsinh Parmar

2. Content
• Introduction
• Historical Development
• Energy Conversion Techniques
• Thermal Conversion Techniques
• Non-Thermal Conversion Techniques
• Radioisotopes used & Selection
• Advantages & Disadvantages
• Application
• Conclusion
• References

3. Introduction
• In recent advancement of technology , there is a great
need of small , light-weighted and reliable power
source.
• Chemical batteries require frequent replacement and
bulky also solar cells and fuel cells are require sun
light and expensive respectively.
• Solution of above difficulties of different cells is
nuclear batteries.

4. Introduction (Cont.)
• Nuclear battery convert energy from radioactive
decay to electricity.
• Nuclear Batteries have life span up to decades.

5. Historical Development
• Nuclear battery technology began in 1913, when Henry
Moseley first demonstrated the beta cell.
• The field received considerable in-depth research
attention for applications requiring long-life power
sources for space application during the 1950 to1960.
• In 1954 RCA researched a small atomic battery for
small radio receivers and hearing aids.
• A radio isotope electric power system was developed
by inventor Paul Brown which was scientific break
through in nuclear power.

6. Energy Conversion Techniques
• Conversion techniques can be grouped into two types
which are in following manner
1) Thermal Converters : Whose output power is
function of temperature differential.
2) Non-Thermal Converters : Whose output power
is not a function of a temperature difference.

7. Thermal Conversion
• Thermionic converter
• Radioisotope thermoelectric generator
• Thermo photovoltaic cells
• Alkali-metal thermal to electric converter
• Stirling radioisotope generator

8. Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator
• They generate electricity by utilizing
the heat released from radioactive
decay.
• This converter uses thermocouples
which are made up of silicon and
germanium
• Each thermocouple produces only
small voltage( milli volt).
• Number of Thermocouples are
connected in series to produce larger
voltage.
• It generated 216W for 11 year in
appolo-12 mission of NASA
Fig 1. RTG , Image from Bionic 3d
Technology

9. Non-Thermal Conversion
• Direct charging generators
• Betavoltaics
• Alphavoltaics
• Optoelectric
• Reciprocating Electromechanical Atomic Batteries

10. Betavoltaics
• Betavoltaics are generators of electric current, in effect a
form of battery, which use energy from a radioactive
source emitting beta particles (electrons).
• Betavoltaics use a non-thermal conversion process, using
a semiconductor p-n junction.
FIg.2 Betavoltaic battery , Image from EVBud.com

11. Betavoltaics (cont.)
• Betavoltaics are particularly well-suited to low-power
electrical applications where long life of the energy
source is needed, such as implantable medical devices
or military and space applications.

12. Radioisotopes used & Selection
• Atomic batteries uses radio isotopes producing low
energy beta particles and sometimes alpha of varying
energies. Tritium , Nickel-63 , Promethium-147 ,
Technetium-99 , Plutonium-238 , Curium-242 , Curium-
244 , Strontium-90
• The major criterions considered in the selection of
fuels are:
• Avoidance of gamma in the decay chain
• Half life( Should be more)
• Cost should be less.

13. Advantages
• Life span- minimum of 10 years.
• Reliable electricity.
• Amount of energy obtained is very high.
• Lighter with high energy density.
• Reduces green house and associated effects

14. Disadvantages
• High initial cost of production as its in the
experimental state.
• Regional and country-specific laws regarding use and
disposal of radioactive fuels.
• To gain social acceptance.

15. Application
1) Space Application
• Unaffected by long period of
darkness
• Used in long duration missions
where fuel cells, batteries and
solar arrays would be too large
and heavy.
• High power for long time
independent of the atmospheric
conditions.
Fig.3 A photograph of the RTG that NASA's Apollo 12 mission carried to the Moon.
The RTG is the gray colored device with cooling fins.

16. 2) Medical Application
• In Cardiac pacemakers where Batteries should have
reliability and long life to avoid frequent
replacements.
Fig.4 Pacemakers from betavoltaic.co.uk

17. 3) Automobile Application
• It is on initial stages of development
• Nuclear batteries could replace conventional fuels
then there will be no case of running out of fuel

18. 4) Military Application
• Radioisotope power sources to provide very high
density battery power to radio frequency equipments,
sensors and ultra wide-band communication.

19. Conclusion
• Clearly the current research of nuclear
batteries shows promise in future applications
for sure to improve feasibility and life of
devices.
• Until final disposal of all Radiation Protection
Standards must be met. These are the batteries
of the near future.

20. References
1) A Modular Design for Nuclear Battery Technology ,BY
Randy Lao june 2011,California Polytechnic State
University, San Luis Obispo , U.S.A
2) Nuclear Microbatteries , sudheesh.s , university of
calicut , april 2016
3) Radioisotope Batteries for MEMS , Jake Blanchard
University of Wisconsin , January 2005
4) Nuclear batteries with tritium and promethium-147
radioactive sources , g n yakubova, university of
illinois at urbana-champaign, 2010
5) Atomic battery , Wikipedia

21. THANK YOU