IP Library Granted Patent US 11,764,322
Granted Patent B2
US 11,764,322 · App. 17/206,469 · Granted Sep 19, 2023

Betavoltaics with absorber layer containing coated scintillating particles

Inventors: Lance R. Hubbard (Richland, WA); Gary J. Sevigny (Richland, WA); Radha K. Motkuri (Richland, WA)
Assignee: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
H01L31/055C09K11/025C09K11/616G21H1/02G21H1/12H01L31/0693
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,764,322
App. No.
17/206,469
Granted
Sep 19, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A beta-voltaic device made up of silica covered scintillating particles incorporated within an isotope absorbing layer to produce an improved power source. Lost beta particles are converted to UV light which is also converted to power in a beta-voltaic converter. The addition of the scintillating particles effectively increases the power efficiency of a BV device while maintaining the slim profile and smaller size of the power source. This arrangement makes possible implementation in space, defense, intelligence, medical implants, marine biology and other applications.

Claims (23)

1. A beta voltaic device comprising:

silica covered scintillating particles incorporated within an isotope absorbing layer to produce an improved power source.

2. The beta voltaic device of claim 1 wherein the scintillating particles comprise a material selected from the group consisting of BaF 2 , Br—La—Ce-Halides, Perovskites, Inorganics, MOFs, COFs and their composites and combinations thereof.

3. The beta voltaic device of claim 1 wherein the isotope absorbing layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: Tritium, Si-32, P-32, P-33, S-35, Sc-46, Co-60, Ni-63, Kr-85, Sr-90/Y-90, Ru-106, Cs-134, Cs-137, Ce-144, Pm-147, Tb-160, Tm-170, Au-198, Th-204 and combinations thereof.

4. The beta voltaic device of claim 1 wherein the silica covering is glass.

5. The beta voltaic device of claim 1 further comprising a semiconductor.

6. The beta voltaic device of claim 5 wherein the semiconductor is selected from the group consisting of CVD-Diamond, SiC, GaN, GaP, PbO, CdS, CdTe, ZnS, GaAs, InGaAs, Si, Ge, PbS, InSb, InGaP, AlInP, AlGaN, AlN, Ga2O3, BN, Perovskites, MOFs, COFs, composites and combinations thereof.

7. A beta voltaic device comprising:

silica covered scintillating particles incorporated within a tritiated water isotope absorbing layer to produce an improved power source.

8. The beta voltaic device of claim 7 wherein the scintillating particles are selected from the group consisting of BaF2, Br—La—Ce-Halides, Perovskites Inorganic, and combinations thereof.

9. The beta voltaic device of claim 8 wherein the silica covering is glass.

10. The beta voltaic device of claim 9 further comprising a semiconductor.

11. The beta voltaic device of claim 10 wherein the semiconductor is selected from the group consisting of CVD-Diamond, SiC, GaN, GaP, PbO, CdS, CdTe, ZnS, GaAs, InGaAs, Si, Ge, PbS, InSb, InGaP, AlInP, AlGaN, AlN, Ga2O3, BN, Perovskites and combinations thereof.

12. A beta voltaic device comprising:

silica covered scintillating particles incorporated within an isotope absorbing layer, and

a semiconductor.

13. The beta voltaic device of claim 12 wherein the scintillating particles comprise a material selected from the group consisting of BaF2, Br—La—Ce-Halides (Cl, Br, etc), Perovskites Inorganic, and combinations thereof.

14. The beta voltaic device of claim 13 wherein the semiconductor comprises a material selected from the group consisting of CVD-Diamond, SiC, GaN, GaP, PbO, CdS, CdTe, ZnS, GaAs, InGaAs, Si, Ge, PbS, InSb, InGaP, AlInP, AlGaN, AlN, Ga2O3, BN, Perovskites, MOFs, COFs, inorganic frameworks and combinations thereof.

15. The beta voltaic device of claim 14 wherein the isotope absorbing layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of Tritium, Si-32, P-32, P-33, S-35, Sc-46, Co-60, Ni-63, Kr-85, Sr-90/Y-90, Ru-106, Cs-134, Cs-137, Ce-144, Pm-147, Tb-160, Tm-170, Au-198, Th-204 and combinations thereof.

16. The beta voltaic device of claim 15 wherein the scintillating particles comprises barium fluoride.

17. The beta voltaic device of claim 16 wherein the semiconductor material comprises GaN.

18. The beta voltaic device of claim 17 wherein the isotope absorbing layer comprises tritiated water.

19. The beta voltaic device of claim 18 wherein the silica covering is glass.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 19, 2023
From: HUBBARD, LANCE R.; SEVIGNY, GARY J.; MOTKURI, RADHA K.
To: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
Reel/Frame 062428/0102 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Jun 22, 2021
From: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE, PACIFIC NORTHWEST DIVISION
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 056613/0981 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62992452 · Mar 20, 2020
Related Publication 20210328086A1 · Oct 21, 2021
Cited By (2)
US 12,725,717 US 12,738,389