Impedance spectroscopy characterization of neutron irradiated thermoelectric modules for space nuclear power
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Show full item recordcomunitat-uji-handle:10234/9
comunitat-uji-handle2:10234/7034
comunitat-uji-handle3:10234/8619
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Title
Impedance spectroscopy characterization of neutron irradiated thermoelectric modules for space nuclear powerAuthor (s)
Date
2019Publisher
AIP PublishingISSN
2158-3226Bibliographic citation
MESALAM, Ramy, et al. Impedance spectroscopy characterization of neutron irradiated thermoelectric modules for space nuclear power. AIP Advances, 2019, vol. 9, no 5, p. 055006Type
info:eu-repo/semantics/articlePublisher version
https://aip.scitation.org/doi/full/10.1063/1.5095619Version
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionSubject
Abstract
The European Space Agency is currently supporting the research and development of advanced radioisotope power systems utilising thermoelectric modules. The performance of thermoelectric modules following exposure to ... [+]
The European Space Agency is currently supporting the research and development of advanced radioisotope power systems utilising thermoelectric modules. The performance of thermoelectric modules following exposure to neutron radiation is of significant interest due to the likely application of radioisotope thermoelectric generators in deep space exploration or planetary landers requiring prolonged periods of operation. This study utilises impedance spectroscopy to characterise the effects of neutron irradiation on the performance of complete thermoelectric modules, as opposed to standalone material. For a 50 We americium-241 radioisotope thermoelectric generator design, it is estimated that the TE modules could be exposed to a total integrated flux of approximately 5 × 1013 neutrons cm-2 (>1 MeV). In this study, an equivalent neutron dose was simulated experimentally via an acute 2-hour exposure in a research pool reactor. Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric modules with different leg aspect ratios and microstructures were investigated. Gamma-ray spectroscopy was initially used to identify activated radionuclides and hence quantify irradiation induced transmutation doping. To evaluate the thermoelectric properties pre- and post-irradiation, impedance spectroscopy characterization was employed. Isochronal thermal annealing of defects imparted by the irradiation process, revealed that polycrystalline based modules required significantly higher temperature than those with a monolithic microstructure. Whilst this may indicate a greater susceptibility to neutron irradiation, all tested modules demonstrated sufficient radiation hardness for use within an americium-241 radioisotope thermoelectric generator. Furthermore, the work reported demonstrates that impedance spectroscopy is a highly capably diagnostic tool for characterising the in-service degradation of complete thermoelectric devices. [-]
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AIP Advances, 2019, vol. 9, no 5Rights
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