Advanced Technology » Materials Science

Solid-State Nucleonics

Our interests include several thermal, fluid, and nuclear engineering applications with a central theme of solid-state power conversion and physics-based computer modeling. We perform analytical and ANSYS-based studies of thermoelectric/radioisotope systems to enable solid-state microisotope power sources that serve as long-lifetime, miniature nuclear batteries. Using Monte Carlo N-Particle 5/X (MCNP5/X) modeling software and other programs, we study electron/hole pair production caused by the interaction of MeV-scale nuclear particles with matter, in areas including solid-state neutron detection, betavoltaic power production, and radiation cross-linking.

We design radioisotope production routes using MCNP5, Monteburns, and first principles knowledge of research reactors and accelerators to produce low-radiation, high-power density radioisotope fuel for nuclear batteries used in sensor and other applications. The marriage of solid-state power production and nuclear processes characterizes much of our work in solid-state nucleonics.

Capabilities

Computer Modeling

  • SolidWorks computer design
  • ANSYS-based thermal and structural modeling
  • Steady-state temperature analysis of complex thermoelectric modules

Miniature Nuclear Batteries

  • Abundant power production from radioisotope thermoelectric generators at a small scale
  • Battery engineering (design, volume minimization, radioisotope selection, integration, packaging, heat rejection, voltage conversion)
  • Nuclear radiation shielding design evaluations
  • Selection of radioisotopes conducive to low-detectability devices
  • ANSYS-based thermal and fluid modeling

MCNP5/X Modeling

  • MCNP5 and MCNPX software application for
    • Bulk neutron/gamma shielding
    • Radioisotope microshields
    • Accelerator-based spallation
    • Energy deposition for materials testing
  • Radioisotope production route design using Origen and Monteburns software

Betavoltaic Power Production

  • Photovoltaic cell testing for response to accelerated electrons
  • Power conversion modeling of nuclear particle processes in solid-state contexts
  • Novel betavoltaic design ideas and materials

Radioisotope Production Routes

  • Evaluation, design, and testing (using partners) of novel radioisotope production pathways
  • Evaluation of reactor- and accelerator-based production routes for proton-rich isotopes
  • Evaluation of radioisotope feasibility in different sensor applications based on their radiation dose characteristics (health physics)