Maximizing Direct Electrical Power Generation from Ionizing Radiation

Abstract

The goal of the this project is to develop the scientific understanding as well as the device and systems engineering to significantly increase the efficiency of converting the energy of ionizing radiation emitted during radioisotope decay directly into electric power. The following tasks are planned for the project: Task A: Electron gun based experimental system Design an experimental stage and measurement system to bombard primary electrons onto one or more p-i-n diodes and measure the resulting cu1Tent-voltage (J-V) curves of these diodes (Stanford & Georgia Tech). Task B: Diodes Design and fabricate crystalline Si p-i-n diodes of various intrinsic layer thicknesses (Stanford). Design and fabricate Si p-i-n diodes with amorphous-Si intrinsic layer of various thicknesses (Georgia Tech). Test I-V characteristics of individual and tandem diodes and ensure they follow model predictions (~tanford & Georgia Tech) Task C: Experiments Conduct Experiment with single p-i-n diode and estimate power conversion efficiency as a function of intrinsic layer thickness and energy of the incident primary electron (0-40 ke V) (Stanford). Conduct Experiment with tandem p-i-n diode and estimate power conversion efficiency as a function of intrinsic layer thickness, energy of the incident primaiy electron (0-40 keV) and the number of tandem cells (Georgia Tech & Stanford). Conduct Experiment with single and tandem p-i-n diode and estimate power conversion efficiency as a function of intrinsic layer thickness, energy of primary electron (I 00-1,000 keV) and number of tandem cells (Georgia Tech & Stanford).

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jan 12, 2017
Source ID
W911NF1510252

Entities

People

  • Arun Majumdar

Organizations

  • Army Contracting Command
  • Office of the Secretary of Defense
  • Stanford University

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Research Science/Academic Research
  • Semiconductor Device Technology
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics