Radiolytic microscale power generation based on single chamber fuel cell operation

• Published in: Journal of micromechanics and microengineering Vol. 17; no. 9; pp. S250 - S256
• Main Authors: Peterson, Richard B, Paul, Brian K, Palmer, Todd, Wu, Qiao, Jost, William, Tseng, Chih-Heng T, Tiwari, Santosh, Patello, Gertrude, Buck, Edgar C, Holladay, Jamelyn D, Shimskey, Rick, Humble, Paul, MacFarlan, Paul, Wainright, Jesse
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.09.2007; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Electronics; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Mechanical instruments, equipment and techniques; Microelectronic fabrication (materials and surfaces technology); Micromechanical devices and systems; Physics; Precision engineering, watch making; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Water; Electric generator; Electric power plant; Output power; Nuclear power plant; Leak; Experimental study; Non destructive test; Fuel cell; Room temperature
• ISSN: 0960-1317; 1361-6439
• DOI: 10.1088/0960-1317/17/9/S07

Proof-of-principle test results are presented for a nuclear-to-electric power generation technique utilizing closed-cycle fuel cell operation. The approach being developed is to first use the decay energy of a radioisotope to generate H2 and O2 from water, and then to utilize these species in a fuel cell to generate electricity. The principle of operation allows the device to regenerate its own reactants and operate continuously as a closed system for as long as the primary source of power, namely the radioisotope, is active. With micro engineering and fabrication techniques available today, a miniaturized integrated package of 1 cm3 in size and producing power in the 10 mW range appears feasible in a mature design. Smaller devices producing less power would also be possible. For this project, a unique fuel cell capable of utilizing mixed reactants at room temperature has been developed. The efficiency of this early fuel cell design falls in the range between 10 and 20%. Measured power output from a radioisotope fueled test cell approached 0.45 mW for several hours with a radiation leakage rate estimated at 490 mrem yr-1.