A novel voltaic for direct gamma-electric power generation

本应用的主题是钻石伽玛伏电池(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，但相比而言仍处于萌芽状态。这种能量可以用来监测伽马场本身，或用于其他安全测量，如环境温度、湿度和气体浓度。在极端的温度和辐射下，例如与核部门相关的那些，化学电池是不可行的；但在这里，DGV将发现它们的利基市场，使其能够在目前不可能实现的地点进行关键任务的传感。概念验证装置将重点放在高级核废料储存的具体应用上。这样的技术对于监测像塞拉菲尔德这样的地点产生的高度活跃的热废物将是无价的。还设想未来的装置可能被纳入第四代裂变概念和未来聚变反应堆，用于为诊断传感器提供动力，包括JET、热核实验堆和DEMO，以及乌克兰原子能机构最近宣布的用于商业能源生产的小型托克马克方案。在钻石晶片制造商Element-6和Appsilon的支持下，该项目将在18个月内探索DGV的扩大规模。

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.