Radioactive isotopes betavoltaic generator technology

In this article  we have  analyzed radioactive isotope applications in the technology of autonomous power  supplies and the materials used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), justified  the  advantage of manufacturing betavoltaic generators, compared them with other electric power sources and considered the mechanism of β−decay and positioned it among other types of nuclear transformations. We have  also  drawn  up the  basic radiation safety requirements to the  materials used for the  hull and  the  converter, analyzed some earlier  designs of radioisotope betavoltaic sources and set up a list of isotopes suitable as energy sources in betavoltaic generators. Furthermore, we have  analyzed methods of obtaining radioactive materials which exhibit β−decay, their  basic properties and  abundance in nature. In conclusion, the  choice of nickel−63 isotope has  been selected as preferable for betavoltaic generators due to the optimum combination of half−life, average particle energy and radiation intensity.

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