Contact potential difference cell

• US 5,087,533 A
• Filed: 01/07/1991
• Issued: 02/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Particle Power Systems, L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: Nucell, Inc. (Peripheral Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Brown, Paul M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Skapars, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US07/638,222
• Time in Patent Office: 400 Days
• Field of Search: 429/5, 429/10, 136/253
• US Class Current: 429/5
• CPC Class Codes: G21H 1/06 Cells wherein radiation is applied to the junction of different semiconductor materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 14/00 Electrochemical current or voltage generators not provided for in groups H01M6/00 - H01M12/00; Manufacture thereof

Abstract

An electrical energy generating device which utilizes the potential difference between two dissimilar materials having different work functions and the ionizing properties of radioactive decay products is provided. A current generating cell includes a pair of electrodes of electro-chemically dissimilar materials separated by a space filled with a solid medium having a relatively high dielectric constant and a relatively low ionization constant. A current flows in an external circuit coupling the two electrodes together when the solid medium is ionized. Utilizing a suitable radioactive material mixed or dispersed in the solid medium provides an internal ionizing flux. Similarly, a current is generated in the external circuit when each of the electrodes are constructed of two plates of dissimilar materials in physical contact with each other and the medium is ionized.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating electrical energy comprising:

first and second spaced electrodes, said first and second electrodes of dissimilar materials having different work functions; and

a solid dielectric medium disposed between said first and second electrodes, said solid dielectric medium comprising a radioactive material and a solid dielectric material, said radioactive material providing an ionizing flux for ionizing said dielectric medium.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said dielectric material comprises a semiconductor material.

3. Apparatus in claim 2 wherein said radioactive material is homogeneously dispersed in said semiconductor material.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said solid dielectric medium comprises a material having a relatively high dielectric constant and a relatively low ionization potential.

5. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said solid dielectric medium is fabricated by simultaneous sputter deposition of said semiconductor material and said radioactive material.

6. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said semiconductor material comprises silicon.

7. An apparatus for generating an electric current comprising:

a plurality of spaced elements, each element comprising first and second plates of dissimilar materials having different work functions, said first and second plates in physical contact with each other, said plurality of spaced elements arranged such that said first and second plates alternate; and

a solid dielectric medium disposed in the space separating said elements, said solid dielectric medium comprising a radioactive material and a dielectric material, said radioactive material providing an ionizing flux for ionizing said dielectric material.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said radioactive material decays by beta particle emission.

9. Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said solid dielectric medium comprises a radioactive material homogeneously dispersed in a semiconductor material.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said semiconductor material comprises silicon.

11. An electrical energy device comprising:

a plurality of spaced electrodes, each electrode comprising first and second plates of dissimilar materials having different work functions, said first and second plates in physical contact with each other, said plurality of spaced electrodes arranged in series fashion such that said first and second plates alternate, at least one of said first and second plates being fabricated from a metal having a radioactive gas homogeneously dispersed therein;

a solid dielectric medium disposed within the space separating adjacent ones of said spaced electrodes, said dispersed radioactive gas providing an ionizing flux for ionizing said solid dielectric medium.

12. An electrical energy device as in claim 11 wherein said radioactive gas comprises krypton.

13. An electrical energy device as in claim 12 wherein said solid dielectric medium comprises a semiconductor material.