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Materials Problems in Cesium Thermionic Converters

Journal Article · · Journal of the Electrochemical Society
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2427954· OSTI ID:4818592
The performance of various materials and the requirements that they must meet for use as a hot cathode, a cold anode, and a ceramic insulator are discussed. The unique features associated with a cesium thermionic converter, which are the causes of serious material problems, are high temperature, partial vacuum, presence of cesium vapor, close spacing between the electrodes, and presence of intense radiation and fission products (only for the conversion of fission heat). The materials used should deliver useful and dependable performance for long periods of time (several watts per square centimeter or more output and 25% or better efficiency of conversion for one year or more).
Research Organization:
General Atomic Div., General Dynamics Corp., San Diego, Calif.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-16-002234
OSTI ID:
4818592
Journal Information:
Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 108; ISSN 0013-4651; ISSN JESOAN
Publisher:
The Electrochemical Society
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

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