Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

SpaceNut · 2023-12-26 13:22:51

Seems that all energy conversions are in the 25% neighborhood so it's not a surprise that this is still the case.

Calliban · 2023-12-26 20:14:28

The choice of isotope and power conversion technology, depends upon the intended application. Sr-90 is a beta emitter with a half life of 28.8 years. Its decay energy is 546KeV. It decays into Y-90, which is also a beta emitter and has a half life of 68 hours and decay energy of 2280KeV. Total decay energy for both nuclides is 2826KeV.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strontium-90

On an energy per unit mass basis, this is 3.7% of the mass energy density of fission. So Sr-90 is quite powerful. But the decay energy is so high that it would tend to damage semiconductor materials, making it unsuitable for direct electric conversion. It also releases x-rays, necessitating shielding be used around people. But coupled to a small sterling generator it would be a cheaper alternative to 238Pu for deep space probes. But it is useless as a power source for medical implants, because the x-rays generated by Sr-90 would be unhealthy.

The Ni-63 source is a weak energy source compared to Sr-90, with average decay energy 17.4KeV. But x-ray emissions are negligible and the source is compatible with betatronics. So if we are looking to develop a battery for a medical implant, 63Ni, with its ling half life and negligible x-ray emissions, is ideal.

Cs-137 is used where there is a specific need for gamma rays. It has been used as a radiothermal energy source, but the required shielding makes it unsuitable for small applications. However, irradiation facilities could have a lot of uses. The Soviet Union developed irradiation facilities for sterilising medical equipment and agricultural products. If the US ever succeeds in getting a reprocessing capability up and running, spent fuel can provide a substantial stream of Cs-137 and Sr-90.

Tritium has the lowest decay energy of all -5.7KeV on average. However, a tritium atom has mass 3AMU, versus 63 for 63Ni. So tritium decay energy is several times greater on a per unit weight basis.

Last edited by Calliban (2023-12-26 20:33:36)

SpaceNut · 2023-12-27 09:48:09

To help with topic management I have changed this topics title to include direct electrical as a result of its first post while Th has started another Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Thermal Energy Supply to guide its discussion.

These are very much a wiki topic development due to focus area of information scope.

To that end parts of each of Calliban's posts are relative to each topic's outcome for the design.

Lithium selling point was for longevity of storage and ideal for low currents at first and that means things like battery backup for clocks makes the electrical ideal for use.

NewMarsMember · 2023-12-27 09:57:29

For SpaceNut re topic title change and support for topic in general!

Thank you for making this helpful change! We have an opportunity in NewMars forum to go beyond the simple collection of information as shown by Wikipedia and it's relatives.

NewMars forum has the opportunity to provide everything a person needs to accomplish some task, from the simplest step in building a space craft (of whatever size) though design of an entire community.

The production of electricity directly from beta particle emission by Nickel-63 has been demonstrated by Russian and American teams (that we know of) and almost surely by teams in other nations. This topic is available for links to reports of work in this area, and for text that might help the reader to understand why the links would be helpful.

Study of the Nickel-63 to Copper-63 transition has revealed how challenging it will be for anyone, from ** any ** nation, to achieve even a fraction of the energy production via the direct path. However, challenges are incentive to a small but very important group of humans, so I expect this topic will eventually contain reports of progress .

(th)

SpaceNut · 2023-12-27 17:22:04

tahanson43206 wrote:

For SpaceNut re Nickel-63 to Copper-63 studies ...
As reported elsewhere, I am transitioning from study of the 1 Megawatt scenario to a home sized 14 Kw scenario.
The target of the 14 Kw study will be for a longer period, such as 50 years.
I'll ask ChatGPT4 to compute the requirements for a system able to deliver 14 Kw after 50 years, and that means the opening power output will be well above that. The excess can be sold to the grid by the home owner.
I have an request for you to consider. I understand your time is limited, and this request may not fit into your available free time.
Request: Please document how you would use a power supply that delivers 14 Kw for 50 years. Because of the difficulty of pulling electrical power directly from the package, I am leaning toward generating thermal energy and using that directly where that is appropriate, and otherwise using it to create electrical energy despite the poor efficiency. Waste thermal energy can be directed into the thermal energy budget.
Applications for a home owner would include power to clean up contaminated water such as might come from a well, or such as might come from the home itself, as a result of human activity.
On Mars, that will NOT be an option, so your study will be helpful for those planning a Mars community.
Please plan to allocate enough energy to reduce unneeded compounds to their elemental form, or to useful compounds such as water where possible.
My first question would be... is 14 Kw enough?
A relative installed a 14 Kw Generac, but the installer was able to supply only about half the energy requirements of the house. The requirements were based upon peak loads which might be imposed if everything is turned on. The compromise covers the essentials, such as furnace, air conditioning and some appliances.
The next generally recognized performance standard is 20 Kw.
(th)

I use base average all year round is 40kwhr a day to make use of. 40kwhr/24hgr= 1.667kw

Based on the cell being a dc source converting to ac we will need more like 2kw to make this work.

A generator would be grid tied with no battery and it can run at 50% or 7kwhr rate for 6 hr on and then 6 hr off repeated for the day with net metering what is not used in each power run cycle for use when it's not on. so 7kwhtrx6 hr/12hrs = 3.5 kw

The eversource gives 11 cents for the kw but charges 22 cents so to make this a win you need to give back2 times what you use to not pay them a dime.

Of course a heat created thermal electric would be much higher to achieve the goal.

SpaceNut · 2023-12-28 09:57:12

The formula used to convert square feet to tons is as follows:

Tons (T) = Area * Thickness / 12 * Density

https://chemlin.org/isotope/nickel-63

https://www.isotopes.gov/sites/default/ … /Ni-63.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel

https://www.theworldmaterial.com/density-of-metals/

Various Metals Density, g/cm3 Density, kg/m3 Density, lb/in3 Density, lb/ft3
Nickel 8.90 8,902 0.322 556

It appears it can be formed into a film.

SpaceNut · 2023-12-28 11:11:36

Good suggestions of aspects to explore for how to create

tahanson43206 wrote:

For SpaceNut re planning for Ni-63 industry ...
Please start thinking about how we might organize topics in the forum to support development of a global and eventually Solar system-wide industry based upon the reliable heating and energy storage capability of Ni-63.
It seems to me that our Economy topic might be the best fit for creating topics that would help to organize thinking about the several aspects of the new industry.
Topics might include:
A great deal more work is required to turn this discovery into an industry:
1) Manufacture of Ni-63
2) Assembly at a factory
3) Shipment while keeping cool (ie, redirecting thermal energy)
4) Installation while keeping cool
5) Operation while keeping cool
6) Removal from operation while keeping cool
7) Return to factory while keeping cool
8) Disassembly and reprocessing at factory (70% of the original charge will remain after 50 years)
9) Security, Government relations, Public relations, other topics
(th)

The semiconductor battery will need to be protected from tampering and that means a vault of concrete to contain it below ground. Systems cut off from the grid tied system will be required. The use of a DC to AC convertor will be required to connect it to the grid so that we will not need to change the infrastructure of the home.

tahanson43206 · 2023-12-28 12:41:39

For SpaceNut .... a home freezer is a good model for this system. It poses no radiation risks as supplied from the factory. The container would be made of metal similar to a home freezer, and ordinarily, nothing happening inside the cover will reach the outside.

However, it is worth considering disturbances, which are inevitable if these units are distributed widely and live for their advertised 50 years.

Incidents that may occur include fire, flood, earthquake, airplane landing on home, asteroid impact, or in the more prosaic sphere, a teenager opening the cabinet to see what's inside. All these need to be examined and documented.

(th)

SpaceNut · 2023-12-28 14:55:53

Since it can be layered as a film that makes it adaptable to a solar panel factory since it's not all that different with requirements.

The made panels might need a lead crystal plate between to keep concentration down while in shipping mode that is grouped before install.

This is where Calliban comes in for particle decay.

Agreed some sort of shockmount system in the ground would aid in the earthquake aspect.

we may have other isotopes to explore
https://www-eng.lbl.gov/~shuman/NEXT/MA … series.pdf

SpaceNut · 2023-12-28 16:08:07

Alpha, Beta, Gamma How Radiation Sickness Works

be careful when looking for information as my Norton's just detected intrusion attack... on site 4. staminacomfort .com

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/isotopes.html

https://www.epa.gov/radiation/radiation-basics

Appears sheet aluminum thickness of foil is all that is needed.

tahanson43206 · 2024-01-01 07:10:01

This topic is now closed.

While Ni-63 has many benefits as a material for service to the home consumer, the rarity of the isotope required to make it argues against it's use.

This conclusion is consistent with a prediction of Calliban, that Ni-63 would be suitable for niche applications on a very small scale.

An example of such an application might be a power supply for a space probe that is intended to last for 100 Earth years or more.

Ni-63 will still be producing after 100 years, because the half life is 100.1 years.

This inquiry is now closed.

(th)

SpaceNut · 2024-01-01 07:39:47

No reason to stop the thinking of the how to do or knowledge gathering planning on the best method for a design and manufacturing. Sure, it's going to be slow, but the status can be monitored as the many topics we have here.

Here are some more technical links.

this one is for electrical
Optimal Semiconductors for 3H and 63Ni Betavoltaics

Betavoltaic power sources based on the conversion of radioisotope energy to electrical power are considered an appealing option for remote applications due to extended period of operation and high energy densities. However, to be competitive with other power sources, their efficiency must be increased.

Ni-63 Radionuclide Fact Sheet

NewMarsMember · 2024-01-01 08:20:52

For SpaceNut re #13

Thanks for your support of this inquiry! It turned out that the isotope needed to make Ni-63 is rare on Earth. It costs $17,000 per ton to procure pure Nickel (99.8%-99.9%) but Ni-62 is only 3.6% of the average ton as sold in pure form.

It would cost over a million USD to accumulate the 3.5 tons needed to make the 20 Kw battery.

Calliban suggested the substance might be suitable for niche applications such as deep space probes,so I agree that further study is appropriate, but the application for home heating is closed.

(th)

SpaceNut · 2024-01-01 10:49:02

If it's producing that 20kw hr for a constant 50 years its's well worth it since I am using just 20% of that as indicated earlier. Which is costing 300 a month give or take a month.

$300 x 12 x 50year = $180,000 paid and we know that it's only going to go up.

Electricity priced at $100 in 1913 → $588.31 in 2023

How much electricity prices increase per year in the U.S.

What will electricity pricing look like in 2040?

Trends in electricity prices during the transition away from coal

tahanson43206 · 2024-01-01 11:47:53

For SpaceNut re #39

Your post includes a vital piece of information about the potential market for a product along these lines .... $300 a month is a figure that it appears you can endorse for a power delivery system.

As I've tried to explain, Nickel-63 is NOT going to be the material that provides that service. Each ton of nickel costs $17,000 in today's market, and of that, only 3.6% is Nickel-62, which is the feedstock to make Nickel-63. The total cost of the 20 Kw system in today's money is $17,000 * 3.5 * 1 / .036.

My calculator gives me 1652777.777777778 as a result. Dividing that by the number of months in 50 years gives: 2754.62962963.

So the cost of the material would appear to be $2,755 per month for 50 years. The actual cost would be far greater, because the separation of the isotope we need from the default combination will require both energy and time, and the provider will charge for the service.

After the 3.5 tons of Ni-63 is separated, it must be treated by a reactor, so that will take time and energy, and the provider will charge accordingly.

After the 3.5 tons of Ni-63 is prepared, then it must be packaged into the power pod form factor, and that will take time and energy, and the materials needed to capture the electron energy directly, or to capture the dumb thermal energy when not captured, will take time and energy, and the providers will all charge accordingly.

All these steps can and no doubt will be taken to prepare Ni-63 for a space probe going out-system in coming years. The benefit of the reliable service for 100+ years will justify the investment. If you were aiming to build a system to deliver some lesser amount of power your costs would all drop in proportion to the reduction from 20 Kw.

Thank you again for a consumer price that might be seen as reasonable.

(th)

SpaceNut · 2024-01-01 13:20:11

No need for the natural to isotope 1/0.036 factor as that Ni63 is created in a system from one of the others once its purified to not contains sulfur or oxygen as its normally found locked up.

tahanson43206 · 2024-01-01 14:56:15

For SpaceNut .... Nickel-63 is made from Nickel-62 which is a natural isotope of Nickel. Nickel-62 is present in refined nickel (99.8 to 99.9%) at the rate of 3.6%. Your post #41 contains an assertion that needs a reference. Please post your reference.

(th)

SpaceNut · 2024-01-01 18:26:24

If you only intend to make only 3.6% of the purified nickel into the Ni63 then we are losing a ton of good nickel 62 for this. Use all of the material to do the job.

Nickel Mining and Processing: Everything you need to know

Extraction and refining

Nickel requires higher smelting temperatures (in the range of 1,350 °C [2,460 °F]) in order to produce an artificial nickel-iron sulfide known as matte, which contains 25 to 45 percent nickel. In the next step, iron in the matte is converted to an oxide, which combines with a silica flux to form a slag. This is done in a rotating converter of the type used in copper production. The slag is drawn off, leaving a matte of 70 to 75 percent nickel. Because the conversion of nickel sulfide directly to metal would require an extremely high temperature (in excess of 1,600 °C [2,910 °F]), the removal of sulfur at this stage of the converting process is controlled in order to produce the 70–75 percent nickel matte, which has a lower melting point.

https://www.911metallurgist.com/blog/mi … -treatment

https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs20 … nickel.pdf

tahanson43206 · 2024-01-01 19:08:53

For SpaceNut re Post #43

It is ** good ** to have your engagement in this study!

Please do our readers a favor and find out what percentage of the isotope Ni-62 is present in a ton of refined Nickel.

I think you will find that only 3.6 percent of that ton is Ni-62. The other isotopes present include Ni-58 which cannot be used to make Ni-63.

Only Ni-62 can be used to make Ni-63 in a single step. Multiple steps are required to transition Ni-58 all the way to Ni-62.

All this is covered in detail in the links that I have provided in other topics. I understand that your time is limited, so you would not have had time to read those links (nor would anyone else).

(th)

SpaceNut · 2024-01-02 18:30:43

I understand that it's a low yield for what is gotten from the ton of dirt that is mined for the nickle.

Nickel industry margins surged in 2021 amid stronger nickel prices

The average total cash cost of nickel production increased 14.7% year over year in 2021, reaching $4.52 per pound based on increased mine site operating costs, including labor, energy inflation and freight.

“Why 62Ni? The Complete Justification” (MFMP Video Update)

http://hps.ne.uiuc.edu/rets-remp/PastWo … malies.pdf
Nickel-63 Dose Conversion Factor Anomalies and Implications to RETS and Groundwater Monitoring Effort

Still just researching to see if the cost is justified.

SpaceNut · 2024-01-02 18:36:05

Here is the line causing the error
https://www.ornl.gov/news/making-radioa … explosives

Making radioactive 63-Ni? to target explosives

tahanson43206 · 2024-01-13 19:36:37

Here is a nice follow up to the topics created in the forum for Nickel-63...

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/tiny-radioac … 38318.html

TechRadar
A tiny radioactive battery could keep your future phone running for 50 years
James Ide
Fri, January 12, 2024 at 12:45 PM EST·3 min read
14 comments
Close up of Betavolt nuclear battery .
A Chinese company has developed a new nuclear battery that could keep your phone running for 50 years without charging.
Betavolt Technology claims to have successfully miniaturized atomic energy batteries, which measure less than a coin at 15 x 15 x 5mm. The compact battery uses 63 nuclear isotopes to generate 100 microwatts and a voltage of 3V of electricity through the process of radioactive decay.
The battery is currently in the pilot testing stage and Betavolt plans to mass-produce them for commercial devices like phones and drones, but also states nuclear batteries could be used for aerospace equipment, AI, medical equipment, advanced sensors, and micro-robots. The Beijing-based company claims to have drawn inspiration from devices such as pacemakers, and satellites.
Betavolt is planning to boost its tech to produce a 1-watt battery by 2025. And while it still has some way to go, the company seems confident stating development is way ahead of European and American scientific research institutions and enterprises.
Tiny nuclear batteries
Image 1 of 3
size of the nucleat BV100 Betavolt battery next to a coin
Image 2 of 3
Breakdown of the elements used to create the BV100 Betavolt nuclear battery
Image 3 of 3
Close up of the nuclear battery BV100 created by Chinese company Betavolt
This technology could revolutionize electronics by removing the need for chargers or portable power banks altogether creating devices that run continuously and whose batteries do not degrade in terms of capacity and lifespan over charging cycles in the way Li-ion batteries do.
It could even prove to be safer too, as Betavolt states that the BV100 will not catch fire or explode in response to punctures or even gunshots, unlike some current batteries that can be unsafe if damaged or when exposed to high temperatures.
Such unlimited power could provide drones that fly continuously, phones that run constantly, and electric cars that don’t require recharging.
Currently nuclear batteries are used for spacecraft, underwater systems, automated scientific stations as well as crafts like the Mars rover, but they are large, heavy, and generate a lot of heat, as well as being expensive. However, Betavolt states that it uses a different approach.
How Betavolt's radioactive battery works
To create the radioactive battery, Betavolt's scientist used nickel-63, which is a radiactive element, as the energy source and then diamond semiconductors as energy converters.
The team developed a single-crystal diamond semiconductor that is just 10 microns thick, and then placed a 2-micron-thick nickel-63 sheet between two diamond semiconductor converters.
The decay energy of the radioactive source is then converted into an electrical current.
Betavolt claims the advantages of its atomic energy batteries are their lightweight, feature a long service life, as well as feature high energy density, and can work normally under extreme temperatures from -60 to 120-degrees Celcius.
Due to the modular design multiple atomic batteries could be connected to provide a higher energy output that could power automotive technology, as well as AI systems just to name a few.
Toxic reputation
Understandably most people wouldn’t want to carry nuclear material in their pocket; particular not viewers of HBO's fantastic but chilling Chernobyl series. Many could be hesitant to adopt the widespread use of nuclear batteries due to the negative connotations of nuclear tragedies like the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 or the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011.
However, the Betavolt also addressed the concerns about radiation, stating the battery is safe as it has no external radiation and is suitable for use in medical devices inside the human body like pacemakers and cochlea implants.
Betavolt says that after it has decayed the 63 nuclear isotopes become copper, which would be non-radioactive and not cause any environmental threat.
While it sounds like something from 1950s science fiction this technology could change the face of electronics by providing unwired, always-on devices that could be spell a new revolution in nuclear energy use.

(th)

SpaceNut · 2024-01-14 09:21:18

images
f9cc0c144b7478841e154dc133227aaf

cbfc56adf0fedff4dc363da4c8e5f606

4bfdd60163255ebbfdf6774be839eea0

To get image first click on it to expand, then right click to be able to get a menu, then open image in a new tab yields the address of the image to post.

Calliban · 2024-01-17 11:03:35

Sabine Hossenfelder on betavoltaic batteries.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MQtVv1eQki4

SpaceNut · 2024-02-19 14:33:58

Making isotopic elements seems to be pushing the technology towards new elements
Researchers synthesize two new isotopes, osmium-160 and tungsten-156

New Mars Forums

Announcement

#26 2023-12-26 13:22:51

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#27 2023-12-26 20:14:28

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#28 2023-12-27 09:48:09

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#29 2023-12-27 09:57:29

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#30 2023-12-27 17:22:04

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#31 2023-12-28 09:57:12

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#32 2023-12-28 11:11:36

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#33 2023-12-28 12:41:39

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#34 2023-12-28 14:55:53

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#35 2023-12-28 16:08:07

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#36 2024-01-01 07:10:01

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#37 2024-01-01 07:39:47

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#38 2024-01-01 08:20:52

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#39 2024-01-01 10:49:02

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#40 2024-01-01 11:47:53

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#41 2024-01-01 13:20:11

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#42 2024-01-01 14:56:15

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#43 2024-01-01 18:26:24

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#44 2024-01-01 19:08:53

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#45 2024-01-02 18:30:43

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#46 2024-01-02 18:36:05

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#47 2024-01-13 19:36:37

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#48 2024-01-14 09:21:18

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#49 2024-01-17 11:03:35

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

#50 2024-02-19 14:33:58

Re: Nickel-63 to Copper-63 Nuclear Electrical Battery

Board footer