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[color=#000000]A Betavoltaic cells ( http://peswiki.com/index.php/PowerPedia:Beta_voltaic
) is composed of semiconductors and at least mildly radioactive material. As the radioactive isotope decays, it emits beta particles (electrons.) Internally, the impact of the beta electron on the P/N junction material causes a forward bias in the semiconductor. This makes the betavoltaic cell a forward bias diode of sorts, similar in some respects to a photovoltaic (solar) cell. Electrons scatter out of their normal orbits in the semiconductor and into the circuit creating a useable electric current.
This recent article ( http://www.physorg.com/news4081.html )
referes to a possible improvement in betavoltaic cells that could increase the power of these long lasting cells (in theory they lost half of it's power in 12.5 years!) tenfold or more!
The current power/weight ratio of this cells is 24 Wh/Kg but if the new nanoporous material from this new developement increases the power tenfold, then this ratio would be 240 Wh/Kg. AFAIK the power obtained from a fuel cell (hydrogen/oxygen) is in this range.
Limitations]
) is composed of semiconductors and at least mildly radioactive material. As the radioactive isotope decays, it emits beta particles (electrons.) Internally, the impact of the beta electron on the P/N junction material causes a forward bias in the semiconductor. This makes the betavoltaic cell a forward bias diode of sorts, similar in some respects to a photovoltaic (solar) cell. Electrons scatter out of their normal orbits in the semiconductor and into the circuit creating a useable electric current.
This recent article ( http://www.physorg.com/news4081.html )
referes to a possible improvement in betavoltaic cells that could increase the power of these long lasting cells (in theory they lost half of it's power in 12.5 years!) tenfold or more!
The current power/weight ratio of this cells is 24 Wh/Kg but if the new nanoporous material from this new developement increases the power tenfold, then this ratio would be 240 Wh/Kg. AFAIK the power obtained from a fuel cell (hydrogen/oxygen) is in this range.
Limitations]