Abstract: A porous membrane material comprising a porous membrane substrate coated with a thin, uniform coating of a metal or metal alloy. The membrane material can have high electrical conductivity. The membrane material can exhibit a very high ratio of electrical conductivity to thermal conductivity. The porous membrane substrate may be removed to form the membrane.

Abstract: An electric cell comprises layers of moderating material 1 & 8, nuclear fuel 2 & 7, cathode 3, anode 6, and semiconductor junction layers 4 & 5 adjacently stacked one above another. Ionic compounds with high proton numbers are used to form the semiconductor junction layers 4 & 5. Highly energetic heavy ion daughter nuclides from the nuclear fuel layers 2 & 7 penetrate into the semiconductor junction layers 4 & 5. The collision of heavy ions with the valence band electrons in the semiconductor junction layers 4 & 5 creates electron-hole pairs which provide electricity. If the semiconductor junction layers 4 & 5 are fissile, then the nuclear fuel layers 2 & 7 can be removed.

Abstract: A betavoltaic battery having layers of fissile radioisotopes 8, moderating material 7, beta-decaying radioisotopes 6, and semiconductor diode 4 & 5 adjacently stacked one above another, is proposed. Neutrons produced by the chain reaction in the fissile radioisotope 8 are slowed down by the moderating material 7 before penetrating into the layer of beta-decaying radioisotope 6 to cause fission. Beta particles produced from the fission of beta-decaying radioisotopes 6 create electron-hole pairs in the semiconductor diode 4 & 5. Electrons and holes accumulate at the cathode 9 and anode 2 respectively, producing an electromotive force. Because beta particles are produced from neutron-induced fission, instead of from beta decay, this betavoltaic battery is able to generate substantially more power than conventional betavoltaic batteries.