Small size Pu/sup 238/-based radionuclide thermoelectric generators: status, applications and prospects of use

Пустовалов, А. А.; Lazarenko, Yu. V.; Shapovalov, V. P.

doi:10.1109/iecec.1989.74853

Cited by 1 publication

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“…25,29 Nowadays, because nearly all modern rotary VADs are electrically powered, the transfer of energy to the pump could conceivably be done with thermoelectric solid-state devices that convert thermal energy to electrical energy based on the Seebeck effect. 30 This technology could be remarkably less complex and more robust as compared with the mechanically complex Stirling 29 and Rankine 31 cycle-based engines of the past.…”

Section: Design Of Plutonium-238 Powered Circulatory Support Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plutonium-238

Tchantchaleishvili¹,

Bush²,

Swartz³

et al. 2012

ASAIO Journal

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Ventricular assist devices emerged as a widely used modality for treatment of end-stage heart failure; however, despite significant advances, external energy supply remains a problem contributing to significant patient morbidity and potential mortality. One potential solution is using the nuclear radioisotope Plutonium-238 as a power source. Given its very high energy density and long half-life, Plutonium-238 could eventually allow a totally intracorporeal ventricular assist system that lasts for the patient's lifetime. Risks, such as leakage and theft identified decades ago, still remain. However, it is possible that newer technologies could be used to overcome the system complexity and unreliability of the previous generations of nuclear-powered mechanical assist systems. Were it not for the remaining safety risks, Plutonium-238 would be an ideal energy source for this purpose.

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Section: Design Of Plutonium-238 Powered Circulatory Support Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%