Thermoelectric generators can directly convert nuclear decay heat into electricity
Thermoelectric generators are a well-established technology, commonly known as radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), that directly convert the heat released by radioactive decay into usable electrical power.
The retrieved papers provide extensive evidence that thermoelectric generators are successfully paired with radioactive decay heat sources (such as plutonium-238) to produce electricity, a technology utilized across decades of space missions and radioisotope battery designs.
Michael B. R. Smith, C. Whiting, C. Barklay. Nuclear Considerations for the Application of Lanthanum Telluride in Future Radioisotope Power Systems. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO.2019.8742136
Discusses radioisotope power systems that convert the heat generated by the radioactive emission of alpha particles from plutonium dioxide into electricity via thermoelectric generators.
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Kenton Sherick, Aniruddha Ray, Pierre Berneron, B. Tolson, C. Whiting, Rebecca Hoffman, Maarten den Heijer, C. Barklay. Development of a Small-Low Power Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Using the General Purpose Heat Source. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO58975.2024.10521356
Explores radioisotope thermoelectric generators fueled by a General Purpose Heat Source to provide long-term power.
M. Ohta. High performance thermoelectrics for power generation using earth-abundant and low toxicity elements: —Toward developing an innovative waste heat recovery system—@@@— 未利用熱エネルギーの革新的活用に向けて —. 2017. https://doi.org/10.5571/SYNTH.10.2_63
Notes that radioisotope thermoelectric generators have decades of proven reliability in space missions, utilizing heat released from radioactive decay as the heat source.
A. Morgan, J. Kumar, C. Barklay, D. Kramer. Non-nuclear based Thermoelectric + Battery System Concepts for Space Power Systems. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO47225.2020.9172493
Notes that radioisotope thermoelectric generators use heat from the decay of plutonium-238 to generate electrical power for space missions.
Huang Q, Qin S, Huang R, Yu X, Zhang J, Liu G, Zhang H, Liu M, Li S, Li X, Li X. Newly Emerging Nanotechnologies of Innovative Devices for Radioisotope Batteries.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16090511
Reviews radioisotope batteries that utilize thermoelectric conversion mechanisms to transform nuclear energy into a long-term electricity supply.
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