Power source and method of forming same
Various embodiments of a power source and a method of forming such power source are disclosed. The power source can include an enclosure, a substrate disposed within the enclosure, and radioactive material disposed within the substrate and adapted to emit radioactive particles. The power source can further include a diffusion barrier disposed over an outer surface of the substrate, and a carrier material disposed within the enclosure, where the carrier material includes an oxide material.
1. A power source, comprising:
an enclosure comprising a housing and a cover connected to the housing such that the enclosure is hermetically sealed;
a substrate disposed within the enclosure;
radioactive material disposed within the substrate and adapted to emit radioactive particles;
a carrier material disposed within the housing, wherein the carrier material is adapted to change a phase of the radioactive material that has diffused from the substrate and is incident upon the carrier material;
particle converting material disposed within the housing, wherein the particle converting material is adapted to convert the radioactive particles emitted by the radioactive material into light; and
a photovoltaic device disposed adjacent the enclosure, wherein the photovoltaic device converts at least a portion of the light emitted by the particle converting material that is incident upon an input surface of the photovoltaic device into electrical energy.
2. The power source of claim 1 , wherein the particle converting material comprises phosphor.
3. The power source of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a reflective material and the cover comprises a transparent material.
4. The power source of claim 1 , wherein the radioactive material is in a liquid phase when the radioactive material diffuses from the substrate and reacts with the carrier material.
5. The power source of claim 1 , wherein the radioactive material comprises tritium and the carrier material comprises an oxide material.
6. The power source of claim 1 , further comprising a reflective layer disposed on an inner surface of the housing.
7. The power source of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the housing and the cover comprises a glass material.
8. The power source of claim 1 , wherein the particle converting material comprises nanocrystals.
9. The power source of claim 1 , wherein the particle converting material is disposed on one or more portions of an inner surface of the housing.
10. The power source of claim 1 , wherein the particle converting material is disposed on an inner surface of the cover.
11. The power source of claim 1 , wherein an input surface of the photovoltaic device is disposed on an outer surface of the housing.
12. The power source of claim 1 , wherein an input surface of the photovoltaic device is disposed on an outer surface of the cover.
13. An implantable medical device comprising:
a device enclosure;
a power source disposed within the device enclosure, wherein the power source comprises:
a power source enclosure;
a substrate disposed within the power source enclosure;
radioactive material disposed within the substrate and adapted to emit radioactive particles;
a diffusion barrier disposed over an outer surface of the substrate; and
a carrier material disposed within the power source enclosure, wherein the carrier material comprises an oxide material, and further wherein the carrier material is adapted to change a phase of the radioactive material that has diffused from the substrate and is incident upon the carrier material; and
one or more electronic devices disposed within the device enclosure and electrically connected to the power source.
14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the one or more electronic components comprises at least one of an ECG sensor, EKG sensor, glucose sensor, chemical sensor, or biomarker sensor.
15. The device of claim 13 , wherein the one or more electronic components comprises at least one of a power/voltage converter or an accumulator.
16. The device of claim 13 , wherein the one or more electronic components comprises at least one of an ECG monitor, implantable pulse generator, or implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
17. The device of claim 13 , wherein the power source enclosure comprises a housing and a cover connected to the housing.
18. The device of claim 17 , wherein the housing comprises a reflective material and the cover comprises a transparent material.
19. The device of claim 13 , wherein the power source further comprises a photovoltaic device disposed adjacent the power source enclosure, wherein the photovoltaic device converts at least a portion of the light emitted by the particle converting material that is incident upon an input surface of the photovoltaic device into electrical energy.
20. The device of claim 13 , wherein the radioactive material comprises tritium.