LONG LIFE COMPONENTS FOR AMTEC POWER SYSTEMS

The Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC) is a high temperature, high efficiency system for converting thermal to electrical energy, with no moving parts. Published conceptual design studies on AMTEC space power systems show that AMTEC technology offers significant advantages over other energy conversion technologies. AMTEC is a relatively new energy conversion concept related to the sodium-sulfur battery. As such, Laboratory demonstrators and early prototype cells have been fabricated and tested with an emphasis on performance. Materials development issues effecting life have been identified and some improvements have been made, but vigorous research and development is required to ensure long lived AMTEC Cells. The proposed program addresses the need for materials research and development for AMTEC cells in four areas: *Ceramic to metal seals for Insulated Electrical Feedthroughs *Ceramic to metal seals for B"-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE)BASE-to-metal joints *Longtime compatibility of sodium with B"-alumina and the porous electrode *Ostwald ripening of wick structures In Phase I high performance ceramic to metal seals will be developed and life tested for compatibility with AMTEC, and other life related materials issues will be identified for investigation in Phase II. The result of this effort will be improvements in component technologies to further improve the life and reliabiliy of AMTEC power systems.