Nuclear voltaic cell
First Claim
1. A nuclear voltaic cell configured to generate an electrical current, comprising:
- a first metal contact layer having a first side;
a second metal contact layer having a first side, wherein said first side of said second metal contact layer is positioned facing said first side of said first metal contact layer and forms a channel between said first and second metal contact layers;
a liquid semiconductor located within said channel and in contact with said first side of said first metal contact layer and in contact with said first side of said second metal contact layer, wherein said liquid semiconductor contains a radioactive isotope in solution and said first side of said first metal contact layer forms a Schottky contact with said liquid semiconductor, and said first side of said second metal contact layer forms a low resistance or ohmic contact with said liquid semiconductor, and wherein said liquid semiconductor comprises at least one chalcogen, said chalcogen selected from the group consisting essentially of sulfur, selenium and tellurium; and
an electrical circuit connecting said first metal contact layer to said second metal contact layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention describes a product and a method for generating electrical power directly from nuclear power. More particularly, the invention describes the use of a liquid semiconductor as a means for efficiently converting nuclear energy, either nuclear fission and/or radiation energy, directly into electrical energy. Direct conversion of nuclear energy to electrical energy is achieved by placing nuclear material in close proximity to a liquid semiconductor. Nuclear energy emitted from the nuclear material, in the form of fission fragments or radiation, enters the liquid semiconductor and creates electron-hole pairs. By using an appropriate electrical circuit an electrical load is applied and electrical energy generated as a result of the creation of the electron-hole pairs.
38 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A nuclear voltaic cell configured to generate an electrical current, comprising:
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a first metal contact layer having a first side; a second metal contact layer having a first side, wherein said first side of said second metal contact layer is positioned facing said first side of said first metal contact layer and forms a channel between said first and second metal contact layers; a liquid semiconductor located within said channel and in contact with said first side of said first metal contact layer and in contact with said first side of said second metal contact layer, wherein said liquid semiconductor contains a radioactive isotope in solution and said first side of said first metal contact layer forms a Schottky contact with said liquid semiconductor, and said first side of said second metal contact layer forms a low resistance or ohmic contact with said liquid semiconductor, and wherein said liquid semiconductor comprises at least one chalcogen, said chalcogen selected from the group consisting essentially of sulfur, selenium and tellurium; and an electrical circuit connecting said first metal contact layer to said second metal contact layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification