High-efficiency <sup>90</sup>Sr radio-photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structure

Tongxin Jiang; Sijie Li; Wenlong Yao; Lu Han; Lei Zhang; Xue Li; Lifeng Zhang; Xian Tang; Xin Li; Haisheng San

doi:10.1038/s41377-025-01875-1

Your Location：

Home >

Browse articles >

High-efficiency ⁹⁰Sr radio-photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structure

Original Articles

- High-efficiency ⁹⁰Sr radio-photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structure
- Light: Science & Applications Vol. 14, Issue 8, Pages: 2243-2251(2025)
- Affiliations：
  
  1.Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
  2.China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China
- Author bio：
  
  Xue Li (lixue@ciae.ac.cn)
  Xin Li (lixin_0128@sina.com)
  Haisheng San (sanhs@xmu.edu.cn)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1038/s41377-025-01875-1
  CLC：
- Received：10 December 2024，
  
  Revised：14 April 2025，
  
  Accepted：24 April 2025，
  
  Published Online：16 June 2025，
  
  Published：31 August 2025
- Accepted：
Scan QR Code
Jiang, T. X. et al. High-efficiency ⁹⁰Sr radio-photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structure. Light: Science & Applications, 14, 2243-2251 (2025).
DOI：

Jiang, T. X. et al. High-efficiency ⁹⁰Sr radio-photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structure. Light: Science & Applications, 14, 2243-2251 (2025). DOI： 10.1038/s41377-025-01875-1.

摘要

Abstract

Radio-photovoltaic cells (RPVCs) are able to offer high reliability and extended operational lifetimes

making them ideal for harsh-environment applications. However

the two-stage energy conversion process inherently limits energy conversion efficiency (ECE). This study presents a novel RPVC design based on a waveguide light concentration (WLC) scheme

employing multilayer-stacked GAGG:Ce s

cintillation waveguides alternately loaded with

Sr radioisotope sources. Electron beam irradiation tests revealed highly efficient radioluminescence (RL) emission from the edge surfaces of GAGG:Ce waveguide at electron energies exceeding 60 keV. A RPVC prototype incorporating 1.43 Ci of

Sr achieved a maximum output power (

max

) of 48.9 μW

with an unprecedented ECE of 2.96%—the highest reported value for radioisotope-powered RPVCs to date. Furthermore

a multi-module integrated RPVC prototype demonstrated a

max

of 3.17 mW

with a short circuit current of 2.23 mA and an open circuit voltage of 2.14 V. Remarkably

the device exhibited only 13.8% RL performance degradation after a 50-year equivalent electron beam irradiation (total fluence: 5.625 × 10

e/cm

)

confirming exceptional radiation hardness. These findings demonstrate that the WLC-based RPVCs achieve both high power output and exceptional long-term stability

representing a substantial advancement for facilitating nuclear battery applications.

关键词

Keywords

references

Li, K. et al. Micronuclear battery based on a coalescent energy transducer. Nature 633 , 811–815, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07933-9 (2024)..

Kumar, S. Atomic batteries: energy from radioactivity. J. Nucl. Energy Sci. Power Gener. Technol. 5 , 1, https://doi.org/10.4172/2325-9809.1000144 (2016)..

Prelas, M. A. et al. A review of nuclear batteries. Prog. Nucl. Energy 75 , 117–148, https://doi .org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2014.04.007 (2014)..

Olsen, L. C., Cabauy, P. & Elkind, B. J. Betavoltaic power sources. Phys. Today 65 , 35–38, https://doi.org/10.1063/PT.3.1820 (2012)..

Kim, H. S. et al. Multiple-year battery based on highly efficient and stable dual-site radioactive isotope dye-sensitized betavoltaic cell. J. Power Sources 606 , 234427, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2024.234427 (2024)..

Terranova, M. L. Nuclear batteries: current context and near-term expectations. Int. J. Energy Res. 46 , 19368–19393, https://doi.org/10.1002/er.8539 (2022)..

Iwan, A., Pellowski, W. & Bogdanowicz, K. A. Conversion of radiophotoluminescence irradiation into electricity in photovoltaic cells. A review of theoretical considerations and practical solutions. Energies 14 , 6186, https://doi.org/10.3390/en14196186 (2021)..

Lange, R. G. & Carroll, W. P. Review of recent advances of radioisotope power systems. Energy Convers. Manag. 49 , 393–401,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2007.10.028 (2008)..

Naseem, M. B. et al. Betavoltai c nuclear battery: a review of recent progress and challenges as an alternative energy source. J. Phys. Chem. C. 127 , 7565–7579, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.3c00684 (2023)..

Spencer, M. G. & Alam, T. High power direct energy conversion by nuclear batteries. Appl. Phys. Rev. 6 , 031305, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5123163 (2019)..

Rowe, D. M. Applications of nuclear-powered thermoelectric generators in space. Appl. Energy 40 , 241–271, https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-2619(91)90020-X (1991)..

O'Brien, R. C. et al. Safe radioisotope thermoelectric generators and heat sources for space applications. J. Nucl. Mater. 377 , 506–521, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2008.04.009 (2008)..

Eiting, C. J. et al. Demonstration of a radiation resistant, high efficiency SiC betavoltaic. Appl. Phys. Lett. 88 , 064101, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2172411 (2006)..

Jiang, T. X. et al. Research on output power of radio-voltaic nuclear battery. 2020 Asia Energy and Electrical Engineering Symposium. 763–766, (IEEE, 2020). https://doi.org/10.1109/AEEES48850.2020.9121369 https://doi.org/10.1109/AEEES48850.2020.9121369 (2020).

Jiang, T. X. et al. 63 Ni-based radioluminescent isotope cells with enhanced photon transport interfaces. J. Sci.: Adv. Mater. Devices 8 , 100611, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsamd.2023.100611 (2023)..

Sychov, M. et al. Alpha indirect conversion radioisotope power source. Appl. Radiat. Isotopes 66 , 173–177, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2007.09.004 (2008)..

Sharma, A. et al. Novel use of semiconductive conjugated polymer with optimized scintillator for betavoltaic applications. ASME 2015 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. 50739, (ASME, 2015). https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2015-50739 https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2015-50739 (2015).

Li, X. M. et al. Mn 2+ induced significant improvement and robust stability of radioluminescence in Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 for high-performance nuclear battery. Nat. Commun. 12 , 3879, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24185-7 (2021)..

Jiang, T. X. et al. In-depth analysis of the internal energy conversion of nuclear batteries and radiation degradation of key materials. Energy Technol. 8 , 2000667, https://doi.org/10.1002/ente.202000667 (2020)..

Wu, Y. S. et al. Research on X-ray-based energy conversion technology and assessment of application prospect. Sustain. Energy Technol. Assess. 60 , 103552, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2023.103552 (2023)..

Russo, J., Ray, W. I. I. & Litz, M. S. Low light illumination study on commercially available homojunction photovoltaic cells. Appl. Energy 191 , 10–21, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.01.029 (2017)..

Zhao, C. et al. Tenfold efficiency improvement of x-ray radioluminescent batteries basing on GAGG: Ce single crystal scintillators. Appl. Phys. Lett. 119 , 223901, https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0073048 (2021)..

He, Y. H. et al. Enhanced radioluminescence and improved radioluminescent nuclear battery output performance more than 50% with SiO 2 nanosphere coating. J. Lumin. 255 , 119600, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2022.119600 (2023)..

Yang, D. D. et al. Armor-like passivated CsPbBr 3 quantum dots: boosted stability with hand-in-hand ligands and enhanced performance of nuclear batteries. J. Mater. Chem. A 9 , 8772–8781, https://doi.org/10.1039/d0ta12365j (2021)..

Gao, R. L. et al. High efficiency formamidinium-cesium perovskite-based radio-photovoltaic cells. Energy Environ. Mater. 7 , e12513, https://doi.org/10.1002/eem2.12513 (2024)..

Karpyuk, P. et al. The saturation of the response to an electron beam of Ce-and Tb-doped GYAGG phosphors for indirect β-voltaics. Appl. Sci. 13 , 3323, https://doi.org/10.3390/app13053323 (2023)..

Korzhik, M. et al. Towards effective indirect radioisotope energy converters with bright and radiation hard scintillators of (Gd, Y) 3 Al 2 Ga 3 O 12 family. Nucl. Eng. Technol. 54 , 2579–2585, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2022.02.007 (2022)..

Zhao, C. et al. X-ray radioluminescent battery with near milliwatt output power using CsI: Tl single crystal scintillator. Appl. Phys. Lett. 121 , 123906, https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0109011 (2022)..

Walton, R. et al. Radioisotopic battery and capacitor system for powering wireless sensor networks. Sens. Actuators A Phys. 203 , 405–412, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2013.09.010 (2013)..

Russo, J. et al. A radioluminescent nuclear battery using volumetric configuration: 63 Ni solution/ZnS: Cu, Al/InGaP. Appl. Radiat. Isotopes 130 , 66–74, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.09.018 (2017)..

Phatangare, A. B. et al. Novel nuclear batteries based on radioluminescence. Energy Technol. 10 , 2200285, https://doi.org/10.1002/ente.202200285 (2022)..

Bower, K. E. et al. Polymers, phosphors, and voltaics for radioisotope microbatteries. (CRC Press, 2002).

Jiang, T. X. et al. Comparison and study of the preparation methods for phosphor layer in nuclear battery. Int. J. Energy Res. 45 , 11712–11720, https://doi.org/10.1002/er.5526 (2021)..

Xie, Y. G. et al. Influence of air exposure on CsI photocathodes. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. Sect. A Accel. Spectrometers Detect. Assoc. Equip. 689 , 79–86, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2012.06.023 (2012)..

Kamada, K. et al. 2 inch diameter single crystal growth and scintillation properties of Ce: Gd 3 Al 2 Ga 3 O 12 . J. Cryst. Growth 352 , 88–90, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2011.11.085 (2012)..

Yoneyama, M. et al. Evaluation of GAGG: Ce scintillators for future space applications. J. Instrum. 13 , P02023, https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/13/02/P02023 (2018)..

Jarrell, J. T. et al. Radiation hardness of polycrystalline ceramic scintillators for radioisotope batteries. Hard X-Ray, Gamma-Ray, and Neutron Detector Physics XXIV. (SPIE, 2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2635787 https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2635787 (2022).

Moayedi, H. et al. Optimization of beta radioluminescent batteries with different radioisotopes: a theoretical study. Nucl. Sci. Eng. 195 , 614–625, https://doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2020.1848199 (2021)..

Lei, Y. S. et al. Demonstration and aging test of a radiation resistant strontium-90 betavoltaic mechanism. Appl. Phys. Lett. 116 , 153901, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5140780 (2020)..

Dixon, J. et al. Evaluation of a silicon 90 Sr betavoltaic power source. Sci. Rep. 6 , 38182, https://doi.org/10.1038/srep38182 (2016)..

Views

Downloads

CSCD

Alert me when the article has been cited

Submit

Tools

Publicity Resources

No data

Related Author

No data

Related Institution

No data

⁰

High-efficiency 90Sr radio-photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structure

DOI：10.1038/s41377-025-01875-1

摘要

Abstract

关键词

Keywords

references

High-efficiency ⁹⁰Sr radio-photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structure