Patents Assigned to BetaBatt, Inc.
  • Synthesis of radioactive materials and compositions of same
    Patent number: 7622532
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to synthesis of radioactive material, such as a tritiated polymer, and an apparatus for generating electrical current from the nuclear decay process of a radioactive material. In one embodiment, the invention relates to an energy cell (e.g., a battery) for generating electrical current derived from particle emissions occurring within a radioactive material such as a tritiated polymer) on pore walls of a porous semiconductor. The radioactive material may be introduced into the energy cell by a wetting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignees: William Marsh Rice University, BetaBatt, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry L. Gadeken, Paul S. Engel, Kenneth S. Laverdure
  • Methods of making energy conversion devices with a substantially contiguous depletion regions
    Patent number: 7250323
    Abstract: A method of making an energy conversion device includes forming a plurality of pores within a substrate and forming a junction region within each of the plurality of pores. Each of the junction regions has a depletion region and each of the plurality of pores defines an opening size in the substrate and a spacing from adjacent pores so that the depletion regions of each of the pores is at least substantially in contact with the depletion region of the pores which are adjacent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignees: Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester, BetaBatt Inc.
    Inventors: Larry L. Gadeken, Wei Sun, Nazir P. Kherani, Philippe M. Fauchet, Karl D. Hirschman
  • Apparatus and method for generating electrical current from the nuclear decay process of a radioactive material
    Patent number: 6949865
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating electrical power from the decay process of a radioactive material is disclosed, wherein a volume of radioactive material and a junction region are enclosed in a cell. The junction region is formed by appropriate construction of a number of p-type and n-type dopant sites. At least a portion of one of the junction regions is disposed within a porous region having an aspect ratio of greater than about 20:1, and disposed at an angle of greater than about 55° measured relative to the surface area in which it is formed. The dimensions and shapes of the macroporous regions and the improved junction region surface area available for collecting charged particles emitted during a radioactive decay series permit an improved current to be derived from the apparatus than would otherwise be expected given its external dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: BetaBatt, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Gadeken
  • Apparatus and method for generating electrical current from the nuclear decay process of a radioactive material
    Patent number: 6774531
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating electrical power from the decay process of a radioactive material is disclosed, wherein a volume of radioactive material and a junction region are enclosed in a cell. The junction region is formed by appropriate construction of a number of p-type and n-type dopant sites. At least a portion of one of the junction regions is disposed within a porous region having an aspect ratio of greater than about 20:1, and disposed at an angle of greater than about 55° measured relative to the surface area in which it is formed. The dimensions and shapes of the macroporous regions and the improved junction region surface area available for collecting charged particles emitted during a radioactive decay series permit an improved current to be derived from the apparatus than would otherwise be expected given its external dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: BetaBatt, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Gadeken