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Extremely-efficient, miniaturized, long-lived alpha-voltaic power source using liquid galliumA power source converts .alpha.-particle energy to electricity for use in electrical systems. Liquid gallium or other liquid medium is subjected to .alpha.-particle emissions. Electrons are freed by collision from neutral gallium atoms to provide gallium ions. The electrons migrate to a cathode while the gallium ions migrate to an anode. A current and/or voltage difference then arises between the cathode and anode because of the work function difference of the cathode and anode. Gallium atoms are regenerated by the receiving of electrons from the anode enabling the generation of additional electrons from additional .alpha.-particle collisions.
Document ID
20080007040
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Other - Patent
Authors
Snyder, G. Jeffrey
Patel, Jagdishbhai
Fleurial, Jean-Pierre
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
March 2, 2004
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Report/Patent Number
Patent Application Number: US-PATENT-APPL-SN-190452
Patent Number: US-PATENT-6,700,298
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Patent
US-PATENT-6,700,298
Patent Application
US-PATENT-APPL-SN-190452
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