Radioisotope Microbatteries
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sussex
Department Name: Sch of Engineering and Informatics
Abstract
The ability to supply small amounts of power over long periods of time is becoming increasingly important in many applications including: microelectromechanical system technologies; implantable medical devices such as neurostimulators e.g. to alleviate the effects of Parkinson's disease or chronic pain; embedded electronics and sensors; as well as various defence and security applications. The core aim of this proposal is to produce a commercially viable robust, miniature and high-efficiency radioisotope microbattery for microelectronics to be deployed in inaccessible or hostile environments.
Publications
Butera S
(2017)
InGaP (GaInP) mesa p-i-n photodiodes for X-ray photon counting spectroscopy.
in Scientific reports
Zhao S
(2019)
High temperature AlInP X-ray spectrometers.
in Scientific reports
Whitaker M
(2020)
Al 0.6 Ga 0.4 As x-ray avalanche photodiodes for spectroscopy
in Semiconductor Science and Technology
Butera S
(2018)
6 ยต m thick AlInP 55 Fe x-ray photovoltaic and 63 Ni betavoltaic cells
in Semiconductor Science and Technology
Lioliou G
(2017)
Prototype GaAs X-ray detector and preamplifier electronics for a deep seabed mineral XRF spectrometer
in X-Ray Spectrometry
Description | Radioisotope microbatteries are technologically viable and on the cusp of being commercially viable for many applications. |
Exploitation Route | Further research; commercialisation |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Electronics,Energy,Security and Diplomacy |
Description | Radioisotope microbatteries are ready to be developed as commercial propositions for defence, medical, and other applications. The work helped shape strategic direction at a major UK company. |
First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Electronics,Energy,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Security and Diplomacy |
Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
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 |