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Study on polonium-209 as radioisotope fuel for Space Nuclear Power

Research Project

Project/Area Number 26630483
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Research Field Nuclear engineering
Research InstitutionTokyo Institute of Technology

Principal Investigator

Nishiyama Jun  東京工業大学, 科学技術創成研究院, 助教 (70512680)

Project Period (FY) 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2016)
Budget Amount *help
¥2,990,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥690,000)
Fiscal Year 2015: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000)
Fiscal Year 2014: ¥2,080,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥480,000)
Keywords原子力電池 / ポロニウム / プルトニウム / 放射性同位体製造 / ポロニウム-209 / プルトニウム-238 / 同位体製造 / 鉛ビスマス
Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aims to evaluate the performance of Po isotopes as a radioisotope fuel for use in space radioisotope power generators. Historically, plutonium-238 has been proven to be the best radioisotope for the provision of space nuclear power. However, current concerns over the limited supply and difficult treatment of Pu-238 have increased the need to explore alternative isotopes for space nuclear power applications. Polonium-209 has the possibility to be an alternative material of Pu-238. It has enough half-life of 102 years and the specific power of 490 W/kg. The production rate using the Bi-209 (p, n)Po-209 reaction and the reaction chain of Bi-209 (n, γ)Bi-210 (β decay) Po-210 (n, 2n)Po-209 were estimated.

Report

(4 results)
  • 2016 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • 2015 Research-status Report
  • 2014 Research-status Report
  • Research Products

    (3 results)

All 2016 2015

All Presentation (3 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 1 results)

  • [Presentation] Production of Polonium-209 using Nuclear Reactor as Radioisotope Fuel for Space Nuclear Power2016

    • Author(s)
      Jun Nishiyama
    • Organizer
      Nuclear and emarging Technologies for Space 2016(NETS-2016)
    • Place of Presentation
      アメリカ合衆国アラバマ州ハンツビル フォンブラウンセンター
    • Year and Date
      2016-02-22
    • Related Report
      2015 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] 宇宙原子力電池用燃料Po-209の原子炉を用いた製造2015

    • Author(s)
      西山 潤
    • Organizer
      日本原子力学会2015年春の年会
    • Place of Presentation
      茨城大学日立キャンパス
    • Year and Date
      2015-03-20 – 2015-03-22
    • Related Report
      2014 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] Feasibility Study on Polonium Isotopes as Radioisotope Fuel for Space Nuclear Power2015

    • Author(s)
      Jun Nishiyama
    • Organizer
      Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space 2015
    • Place of Presentation
      Albuquerque, NM, USA
    • Year and Date
      2015-02-23 – 2015-02-26
    • Related Report
      2014 Research-status Report

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Published: 2014-04-04   Modified: 2018-03-22  

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