Novel High Betavoltaic Power Source

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop a novel betavoltaic battery based on the innovative use of conducting polymer materials combined with a high density Li-ion battery. The technology is intended for use in long term unattended communications equipment. While the proposed betavoltaic battery will achieve output power of 100 W, the addition of the Li-ion battery will allow for occasional power consumption surges of over 50 mW. The device will be designed to provide uninterrupted power for over 20 years. Because of its design, the device will be radiologically safe, thus providing the opportunity for wider use in commercial applications. This development effort will make use of recent advances in organic photovoltaic solar cell technology to produce an inexpensive, compact, flexible and scalable design. PSI will develop and characterize a prototype organic semi-conductor material in Phase I in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach and validate a system model. The system model will be developed to predict power conversion efficiency and open circuit voltage. The Phase II effort will result in a TRL 5 betavoltaic battery prototype ready for operational tests in the field.