Enhancing NASA's Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Using Highly Efficient Thermoelectric Materials

Houtmann, Jeff

doi:10.15367/m:turj.v3i1.318

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Increasing the efficiency of the thermoelectric could suggest that the same missions can be launched using less radioisotopes for the heat source. This is pertinent for the continuation of space voyages as the currently most used radioisotope, 238 Pu, is scarce [115]. Hence, it is financially and environmentally beneficial to study possible avenues of improvement in the thermoelectric materials used for RTGs.…”

Section: In Spacecraftmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential of Recycled Silicon and Silicon-Based Thermoelectrics for Power Generation

et al. 2022

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Thermoelectrics can convert waste heat to electricity and vice versa. The energy conversion efficiency depends on materials figure of merit, zT, and Carnot efficiency. Due to the higher Carnot efficiency at a higher temperature gradient, high-temperature thermoelectrics are attractive for waste heat recycling. Among high-temperature thermoelectrics, silicon-based compounds are attractive due to the confluence of light weight, high abundance, and low cost. Adding to their attractiveness is the generally defect-tolerant nature of thermoelectrics. This makes them a suitable target application for recycled silicon waste from electronic (e-waste) and solar cell waste. In this review, we summarize the usage of high-temperature thermoelectric generators (TEGs) in applications such as commercial aviation and space voyages. Special emphasis is placed on silicon-based compounds, which include some recent works on recycled silicon and their thermoelectric properties. Besides materials design, device designing considerations to further maximize the energy conversion efficiencies are also discussed. The insights derived from this review can be used to guide sustainable recycling of e-waste into thermoelectrics for power harvesting.

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Section: In Spacecraftmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential of Recycled Silicon and Silicon-Based Thermoelectrics for Power Generation

et al. 2022

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The specific power of RTGs is being improved through the development of enhanced multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generators (MMRTGs) and Stirling radioisotope generators (Houtmann, 2020). These new-generation RTGs have better efficiency than the 4%-6% conversion efficiency of conventional RTG systems (Matthes et al, 2018;Houtmann, 2020). The MMRTG utilized in the 2020 Mars rover mission weighs 45 kg, includes 4.8 kg of fuel, and is designed to provide 110 W of electrical power to equipment (NASA, 2020;Energy, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the calendar aging of lithium-ion batteries for a long-term—Space missions

et al. 2023

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Energy availability is a critical challenge for space missions, especially for those missions designed to last many decades. Space satellites have depended on various combinations of radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RGTs), solar arrays, and batteries for power. For deep space missions lasting as long as 50 + years, batteries will also be needed for applications when there is no sunlight and RTGs cannot support peak power demand due to their insufficient specific power. This paper addresses the potential use of lithium-ion batteries for long-term space missions. Using data collected from the literature and internal experiments, a calendar aging model is developed to assess the capacity fade as a function of temperature, state-of-charge and time. The results for various LIB chemistries are used to identify the best candidate chemistries and determine the conditions, with a focus on low temperatures, that can best enable deep space missions.

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Electrical Performance Measurement of Electrical Thermoelectric Generator by Simulating Space Cooling Conditions in Terrestrial Laboratory

Wang,

He,

Sang

et al. 2024

Energy Tech

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Predicting the electrical performance and temperature field of radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) is crucial and essential before they are used in space, a common application scenario. However, building a laboratory to recreate a space environment is expensive and time‐consuming. It is also unrealistic to deploy temperature measurement probes in various components of the RTG. This article aims to establish an approach which combines finite element method (FEM) and experimental measurements in the terrestrial laboratory to solve the problem more effectively: first, using FEM to calculate the temperature distribution of RTG operating in the space; second, realizing the similar temperature distribution of self‐assembly RTG prototype (electrical thermoelectric generator [ETG]) in the terrestrial laboratory by air cooling. The subsequent measurements of electrical performance indicate that the ETG exhibits a maximum power output of 43.41 W and a maximum thermoelectric conversion efficiency of 5.788% in the simulated space environment, aligning well with the values obtained from FEM. This research has the potential to serve as a method for forecasting the performance of RTG in a terrestrial laboratory.

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Enhancing NASA's Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Using Highly Efficient Thermoelectric Materials

Cited by 3 publications

References 9 publications

Potential of Recycled Silicon and Silicon-Based Thermoelectrics for Power Generation

Potential of Recycled Silicon and Silicon-Based Thermoelectrics for Power Generation

Assessment of the calendar aging of lithium-ion batteries for a long-term—Space missions

Electrical Performance Measurement of Electrical Thermoelectric Generator by Simulating Space Cooling Conditions in Terrestrial Laboratory

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