Betavoltaic Nuclear Batteries and Radioisotope Power Cells
This community develops long-lived power sources that convert the beta radiation from radioactive isotopes into electricity, primarily for applications requiring stable micro-power over decades without maintenance.
The work centers on semiconductor junctions—specifically Schottky diodes and p-n heterojunctions—fabricated from materials like diamond, silicon carbide, gallium arsenide, and silicon. Researchers optimize these structures using simulation and design modeling to improve energy conversion efficiency and open-circuit voltage. Common radioactive sources include tritium, nickel-63, and strontium-90. The research also explores advanced architectures such as quantum dots, nanorod arrays, and perovskite-based cells to enhance performance and stability in harsh radiation environments.
The community is most heavily represented in research tracked for Gallium, comprising 0.1% of all Gallium research, and Promethium, where it accounts for 2.6% of the element’s tracked output.
There are 546 papers in this community, published primarily in Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Applied Physics Letters, and Journal of Applied Physics.
Recent work focuses on high-efficiency diamond and silicon carbide heterojunctions, as well as the integration of quantum dots and perovskite materials to improve signal strength and energy deposition in beta radiation.