Multi-Layer Nuclear Thermionic Avalanche Cell

About this technology

Overview

Innovators at the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) have developed the Multi-Layer Nuclear Thermionic Avalanche Cell (NTAC), a novel electrical generator which transforms nuclear gamma-ray photon energy directly to electric power by liberating intra-band atomic inner shell electrons. The invention consists of several NTAC layers arranged in a radially concentric series separated by a vacuum gap space. A large number of electrons liberated within the emitter material are emitted from the surface, which has a tightly spaced array of nanometer-scale emitter points. Liberated electrons go across the vacuum gap and arrive at the collector to efficiently convert energy derived from radioactive materials into usable electricity. The device provides a compact, reliable, and continuous electrical source with high power density capable of long-life operation without refueling. The Multi-Layer NTAC is based on previous work at NASA LaRC in which a single emitter device captured high energy photons; use of a multilayer structure greatly improves the performance of the electrical generator.