High-efficiency 90Sr radio-photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structure
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 RP...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Publishing Group
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Light: Science & Applications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01875-1 |
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| _version_ | 1849329370251919360 |
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| author | Tongxin Jiang Sijie Li Wenlong Yao Lu Han Lei Zhang Xue Li Lifeng Zhang Xian Tang Xin Li Haisheng San |
| author_facet | Tongxin Jiang Sijie Li Wenlong Yao Lu Han Lei Zhang Xue Li Lifeng Zhang Xian Tang Xin Li Haisheng San |
| author_sort | Tongxin Jiang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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 scintillation waveguides alternately loaded with 90Sr 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 ⁹⁰Sr achieved a maximum output power (P 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 P 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 × 1018 e/cm2), 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cb3eeac4b6af43e18c1fef96caa62eab |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2047-7538 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Nature Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Light: Science & Applications |
| spelling | doaj-art-cb3eeac4b6af43e18c1fef96caa62eab2025-08-20T03:47:17ZengNature Publishing GroupLight: Science & Applications2047-75382025-06-011411910.1038/s41377-025-01875-1High-efficiency 90Sr radio-photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structureTongxin Jiang0Sijie Li1Wenlong Yao2Lu Han3Lei Zhang4Xue Li5Lifeng Zhang6Xian Tang7Xin Li8Haisheng San9Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen UniversityChina Institute of Atomic EnergyPen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen UniversityChina Institute of Atomic EnergyChina Institute of Atomic EnergyChina Institute of Atomic EnergyChina Institute of Atomic EnergyChina Institute of Atomic EnergyChina Institute of Atomic EnergyPen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen UniversityAbstract 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 scintillation waveguides alternately loaded with 90Sr 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 ⁹⁰Sr achieved a maximum output power (P 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 P 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 × 1018 e/cm2), 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.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01875-1 |
| spellingShingle | Tongxin Jiang Sijie Li Wenlong Yao Lu Han Lei Zhang Xue Li Lifeng Zhang Xian Tang Xin Li Haisheng San High-efficiency 90Sr radio-photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structure Light: Science & Applications |
| title | High-efficiency 90Sr radio-photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structure |
| title_full | High-efficiency 90Sr radio-photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structure |
| title_fullStr | High-efficiency 90Sr radio-photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structure |
| title_full_unstemmed | High-efficiency 90Sr radio-photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structure |
| title_short | High-efficiency 90Sr radio-photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structure |
| title_sort | high efficiency 90sr radio photovoltaic cells based on waveguide light concentration structure |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01875-1 |
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