ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Latest Magazine Issues
Mar 2026
Jan 2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
April 2026
Nuclear Technology
February 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Alaina Cummings selected for the 2026 Sloane Scholarship
Alaina Cummings has been selected by the American Nuclear Society and American Society of Mechanical Engineers to receive the 2026 ANS/ASME Barry Sloane Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship.
Warren C. Lyon, Thomas S. Bustard, Adoniram C. Hiebert
Nuclear Technology | Volume 4 | Number 2 | February 1968 | Pages 79-87
Technical Paper and Note | doi.org/10.13182/NT68-A26333
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Use of a radioisotope power source coupled to a thermoelectric converter represents one attractive technique for filling the need for a long-life reliable electrical power supply in the range from 100 to 1000 mW. Reliable supplies that require no maintenance for 5 years are available. Existing systems weigh 400 to 850 lb and cost $12 000 to $15 000/W(e). Systems weighing <10 lb and costing $20 000 to $27 000 can be built using existing designs and technology. The radioisotope power supply is attractive for underwater power and other specialized applications where reliability, long life, low weight, or compactness is more important than cost. Radioisotope thermoelectric generators in this size range provide power from ≈$0.27 to $0.70/(Wh), depending upon the design. The design characteristics of five typical generators are described. They include 1-Wdesigns for oceanographic applications and a 300-mW design for an ordnance application. One generator is commercially available, while others are concepts. Characteristics of several other available generators are summarized.