A novel voltaic for direct gamma-electric power generation

本申请的主题是金刚石伽马伏打电池（DGV）。DGV将伽马光子直接转化为电能。它们与太阳能光伏技术相似，但相比之下处于萌芽状态。这种能量可以用于监测伽马场本身，或者用于其他安全测量，例如环境温度、湿度和气体浓度。在极端温度和辐射下，例如与核部门相关的环境，化学电池无法工作;但在这里，DGV将找到自己的利基市场，在目前不可能的位置实现关键任务的传感。概念验证装置将侧重于高放核废料储存的具体应用。这种技术对于监测像塞拉菲尔德这样的高活性发热废物将是非常宝贵的。据设想，未来的设备可能会被纳入第四代裂变概念和未来的聚变反应堆，为诊断传感器提供动力，包括JET，ITER和DEMO，以及UKAEA最近宣布的商业能源生产小型托卡马克（STEP）计划。在金刚石晶圆制造商Element-6和Appendix的支持下，该项目将在18个月的时间内探索DGV升级。

The topic of this application is diamond gammavoltaic cells (DGVs). DGVs convert gamma photons directly into electricity. They are similar, but embryonic in comparison, to solar photovoltaic technology. This power can then be used to monitor the gamma fields themselves, or to contribute to other safety measurements such as of ambient temperature, humidity and gas concentration.Under extremes of temperature and radiation, such as those associated with the nuclear sector, chemical batteries are unworkable; but here DGVs will find their niche enabling mission-critical sensing in currently-impossible locations. The proof-of-concept devices will focus on the specific application of high-level nuclear waste stores. Such technology will be invaluable for monitoring highly-active heat-generating wastes at sites like Sellafield. It is also envisioned that future devices may be incorporated into Generation IV fission concepts and future fusion reactors for powering diagnostic sensors, including JET, ITER and DEMO, and UKAEA's recently-announced Small Tokomak for commercial Energy Production (STEP) programme. Supported by diamond wafer manufacturers Element-6 and Appsilon, this project will explore DGV upscaling over an 18-month period.