Nuclear Microbatteries

ABSTRACT

Nuclear batteries harvest energy from radioactive specks and supply power to micro electromechanical systems (MEMS). This paper describes the viability of nuclear batteries for powering realistic MEMS devices. Nuclear batteries are not nuclear reactors in miniatures, but the energy comes from high-energy particles spontaneously emitted by radioactive elements. Isotopes currently being used include alpha and low energy beta emitters. Gama emitters have not been considered because they would require a substantial amount of shielding. The sources are available in both soil and liquid form.

Several approaches are being explored for the production of MEMS power sources. The first one is a junction type battery. The second concept involves a more effective use of the charged particles produced by the decay: the creation of a resonator by inducing movement due to attraction or repulsion from the collection of charge particles.