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U.S. Department of Energy
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RADIOACTIVE BATTERY

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4184062

A radioactive battery which includes a capsule containing the active material and a thermopile associated therewith is presented. The capsule is both a shield to stop the radiations and thereby make the battery safe to use, and an energy conventer. The intense radioactive decay taking place inside is converted to useful heat at the capsule surface. The heat is conducted to the hot thermojunctions of a thermopile. The cold junctions of the thermopile are thermally insulated from the heat source, so that a temperature difference occurs between the hot and cold junctions, causing an electrical current of a constant magnitude to flow.

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-14-007973
Assignee:
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
Patent Number(s):
US 2913510
OSTI ID:
4184062
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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