1. SEMINAR PRESENTATION ON
+ NUCLEAR BATTERY -
A PORTABLE ENERGY SOURCE
By:
Pratik Patil
Guide:
Prof. B. N. Patil
Electrical & Electronics Department,
Angadi Institute of Technology and Management,
Belgaum
2. CONTENTS
1. Why Nuclear Battery?
2. Historical Developments
3. Understanding the terms used.
4. Energy Production Mechanism
5. Fuel Considerations
6. Applications
7. Advantages
8. Disadvantages
9. Conclusion
10.References
4. ANSWER:
1. Chemical batteries require frequent replacements and
are bulky.
2. Fuel and Solar cells are expensive and requires
sunlight respectively.
3. Need for compact, reliable, light weight and long life
power supplies.
4. Nuclear Battery uses emissions from radioisotope to
generate electricity so there is no fear of hazardous
radiations.
5. Nuclear batteries have lifespan up to decades.
6. Can be used in easily inaccessible and extreme
conditions and reduce the rate of replacements.
5. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. The idea of nuclear battery was introduced in the
beginning of 1950, and was patented on March 3rd,
1959 to Tracer lab.
2. A radio isotope electric power system was developed
by inventor Paul Brown which was a scientific break
through in nuclear power.
3. Brown’s first prototype power cell produced 100,000
times as much energy per gram of strontium -90(the
energy source) than the most powerful thermal battery
yet in existence.
6. UNDERSTANDING THE TERMS USED
Radioisotopes
Radioisotopes are artificially produced,
unstable atoms of a chemical element,
which have a different number of neutrons
in the nucleus, but the same number of
protons and the same chemical properties.
Radiations
•Alpha - These are fast moving helium
atoms. They have high energy, typically in
the MeV range. They also are magnetic in
nature
•Beta - These are fast moving
electrons. They typically have energies in
the range of a few hundred keV to several
MeV.
•Gamma - These are photons, just like
light, except of much higher energy.
7. ENERGY PRODUCTION
MECHANISM
1. Betavoltaics
1. Betavoltaics is an alternative energy technology that promises
vastly extended battery life and power density over current
technologies.
2. Uses energy from beta particles.
3. Beta particles emitted by radioactive gas is captured in Silicon
wafer coated with diode material.
4. It is similar to the mechanics of converting sunlight into
electricity in a solar panel.
5. Absorbed radiation creates electron-hole pair which in turn
results in the generation of electric current.
8. REPRESENTATION OF BASIC BETA
VOLTAIC CONVERSION
•Electrode A (P-region) has a positive potential while
electrode B (N-region) is negative.
9. 2. DIRECT CHARGING GENERATORS
Summary
This method makes use of kinetic energy as well as the
magnetic property of Alpha particles to generate current.
It consists of a core composed of radioactive elements.
Primary generator consists of a LC tank circuit.
LC circuit produces the oscillations required for
transformer operation.
10. Schematic Diagram of an LC Resonant Circuit
2 3
4 6
1
7
5
1 – Capacitor
2 – Inductor
3 – Core with radioactive elements
4 – Transformer T primary winding
5 – Resistance
6 _ Secondary winding
7 _ Load
11. EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT DIAGRAM OF DIRECT
CHARGING GENERATOR
1 – Capacitor
2 – Inductor
3 – Core with radioactive elements
4 – Transformer T primary winding
6 _ Secondary winding
7 _ Load
Load
12. FUEL CONSIDERATIONS
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.
Any radioisotope in the form of a solid that gives off alpha or
beta particles can be utilized in the nuclear battery.
The most powerful source of energy known is radium-226.
However Strontium-90 may also be used in this Battery
13. APPLICATIONS
1. Space applications:
Unaffected by long period of darkness and radiation
belts like Van-Allen belt.
Compact and lighter in weight.
Can avoid refrigeration/heating equipments required
for storage batteries.
High power for long time independent of atmospheric
conditions.
NASA is trying to harness this technology in space
applications.
14. APPLICATIONS
2. Medical applications:
In Cardiac pacemakers.
Batteries should have reliability and longevity to
avoid frequent replacements.
3. Mobile devices:
Nuclear powered laptop battery Xcell-N has 7000-
8000 times more life than normal laptop batteries.
4. Automobiles
No need for frequent recharging as in case of present
electric vehicles.
5. Under-water sea probes and sea sensors
15. ADVANTAGES
Life span- minimum of 10 years.
Reliable electricity.
Amount of energy obtained is very high.
Lighter with high energy density.
Less waste generation.
Reduces green house and associated effects
Fuel used is the nuclear waste from nuclear fission.
16. DRAWBACKS
High initial cost of production as its in the experimental
stage
Regional and country-specific laws regarding use and
disposal of radioactive fuels.
To gain social acceptance.
17. CONCLUSION
Small compact devices of future require small
batteries.
Nuclear batteries increase functionality, reliability and
longevity.
Until final disposal all Radiation Protection Standards
must be met.
Batteries of the near future.
