Patent — available for licensing
Nuclear Thermionic and Thermoelectric Energy System
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
Nuclear Thermionic Avalanche Cells with Thermoelectric (NTAC-TE) offers direct conversion of energy carried by gamma radiation and beta particles into electricity, as well as direct energy conversion of the heat byproduct without steam driven turbines. This process is considerably more efficient, especially with the addition of Cobalt-60 and sodium-22, than traditional nuclear power generation. In the NTAC-TE system, even the Cesium byproduct of Uranium 235 fission contributes additive energy for more power output. Upgrading, or using NTAC-TE in conjunction with nuclear power plants increases power derived from the fission process. NTAC-TE cells can also use up all radioactive emission energy from radioactive materials without allowing any radioactive emission from the device. NTAC-TE can even use existing fission waste as a viable fuel and operate as a safe and mobile remote energy source.