High Efficiency Betavoltaic Cells
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sussex
Department Name: Sch of Engineering and Informatics
Abstract
Market demand for low-power miniature electronics is increasing rapidly with long-lasting (>10 years) power sources required for implantable electronic medical devices (such as neurostimulators to alleviate the effects of Parkinson's disease) and miniaturised sensors e.g. for structural health monitoring in inaccessible and extreme environments. Li-ion batteries have revolutionised portable electronics, but they cannot always meet the environmental, energy density or battery life requirements for some of the most demanding applications. Semiconductor devices for betavoltaic energy generation (the direct conversion of energy from beta particles emitted from radioisotope sources to electricity) can overcome these problems, but existing betavoltaic technology suffers limitations; the devices either suffer from poor efficiency when used with desirable and safe low energy beta emitters such as Tritium, or employ complex designs and structures which are difficult to mass produce commercially.
This project will capitalise on previous STFC funded radiation detector research to develop new betavoltaic batteries which overcome the limitations associated with existing betavoltaics and are suitable for a wide range of commercial and scientific applications. Alongside the scientific development, a major component of this project is the development of a commercialisation plan for the technology in order to fully realise the benefits of the work and enable the rapid commercial and scientific exploitation of the technology.
This project will capitalise on previous STFC funded radiation detector research to develop new betavoltaic batteries which overcome the limitations associated with existing betavoltaics and are suitable for a wide range of commercial and scientific applications. Alongside the scientific development, a major component of this project is the development of a commercialisation plan for the technology in order to fully realise the benefits of the work and enable the rapid commercial and scientific exploitation of the technology.
People |
ORCID iD |
Anna Barnett (Principal Investigator) | |
Robert Prance (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Lioliou G
(2015)
Electronic noise in charge sensitive preamplifiers for X-ray spectroscopy and the benefits of a SiC input JFET
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Lioliou G
(2016)
Characterization of gallium arsenide X-ray mesa p-i-n photodiodes at room temperature
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Butera S
(2016)
Temperature dependence of an AlInP 63Ni betavoltaic cell
in Journal of Applied Physics
Lioliou G
(2016)
Gallium Arsenide detectors for X-ray and electron (beta particle) spectroscopy
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Lioliou G
(2016)
Temperature dependent characterization of gallium arsenide X-ray mesa p-i-n photodiodes
in Journal of Applied Physics
Butera S
(2016)
Al 0.52 In 0.48 P 55 Fe x-ray-photovoltaic battery
in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Lioliou G
(2016)
4H-SiC Schottky diode arrays for X-ray detection
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Butera S
(2016)
AlGaAs 55Fe X-ray radioisotope microbattery.
in Scientific reports
Butera S
(2016)
Temperature study of Al0.52In0.48P detector photon counting X-ray spectrometer
in Journal of Applied Physics
Whitaker M
(2016)
Al 0.2 Ga 0.8 As X-ray photodiodes for X-ray spectroscopy
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Description | The start of the art of radioisotope microbatteries has been advanced. The TRL has been raised. The UK now has research activity in this area. |
Exploitation Route | Much of the work has been published, and more will be published. Links with commercial and governmental organisations have been created to utilise the technology. Work is continuing. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Energy |
Description | The work has been/is of interest to commercial and governmental organisations |
First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
Impact Types | Societal Economic |
Description | Radioisotope Microbatteries IPS |
Amount | £450,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2016 |
End | 08/2019 |
Description | Collaboration with University of Nottingham on Radioisotope Microbatteries |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Department | School of Psychology Nottingham |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Sussex: Design and characterisation of devices. |
Collaborator Contribution | Nottingham: Materials growth, fabrication. |
Impact | No outputs yet from this collaboration. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Collaboration with e2v on Radioisotope Microbatteries |
Organisation | e2v Technologies |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Sussex: device design and characterisation |
Collaborator Contribution | e2v: commercial expertise |
Impact | no outputs yet |
Start Year | 2016 |
Title | NUCLEAR MICROBATTERY |
Description | A nuclear microbattery is disclosed comprising: a radioactive material that emits photons or particles; and at least one diode comprising a semiconductor material arranged to receive and absorb photons or particles and generate electrical charge-carriers in response thereto, wherein said semiconductor material is a crystalline lattice structure comprising Aluminium, Indium and Phosphorus. |
IP Reference | CA3070559 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2019 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | Patent applied for in: US, UK, EU, China, India, Russia, and Brazil |
Title | NUCLEAR MICROBATTERY |
Description | A nuclear microbattery is disclosed comprising: a radioactive material that emits photons or particles; and at least one diode comprising a semiconductor material arranged to receive and absorb photons or particles and generate electrical charge-carriers in response thereto, wherein said semiconductor material is a crystalline lattice structure comprising Aluminium, Indium and Phosphorus. |
IP Reference | WO2019016574 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2019 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | Patents applied for in: UK, USA, Canada, China, India, Russia |