As the first book written solely on the subject of nuclear batteries and their potential to revolutionize the electronics industry, this text will appeal to a broad audience, from engineers to energy policy makers. This collection of contributions from leading U.S. and Russian nuclear researchers contains diverse discussions of the problems of using radioactive material for microelectronic power needs, and it guides readers to future research in the area of long-life, high energy-density batteries. It describes the state of interdisciplinary research in radiochemistry, tritium storage, semiconductor fabrication, integration into MEMS and other electronic devices, and much more.

PV has traditionally been used for electric power in space. Solar panels on spacecraft are usually the sole source of power to run the sensors, active heating and cooling, and communications. Photovoltaics for Space: Key Issues, Missions and Alternative Technologies provides an overview of the challenges to efficiently produce solar power in near-Earth space and beyond: the materials and device architectures that have been developed to surmount these environmental and mission-specific barriers. The book is organized in four sections consisting of detailed introductory and background content as well as a collection of in-depth space environment, materials processing, technology, and mission overviews by international experts. This book will detail how to design and optimize a space power system's performance for power-to-weight ratio, effectiveness at end of operational life (EOL) compared to beginning of operational life (BOL), and specific mission objectives and goals. This book outlines the knowledge required for practitioners and advanced students interested in learning about the background, materials, devices, environmental challenges, missions, and future for photovoltaics for space exploration. - Provides an update to state-of-the-art and emerging solar cell technologies - Features comprehensive coverage of solar cells for space exploration and materials/device technology options available - Explains the extreme conditions and mission challenges to overcome when using photovoltaics in space

Conducting Polymer-Based Nanocomposites: Fundamentals and Applications delivers an up-to-date overview on cutting-edge advancements in the field of nanocomposites derived from conjugated polymeric matrices. Design of conducting polymers and resultant nanocomposites has instigated significant addition in the field of modern nanoscience and technology. Recently, conducting polymer-based nanocomposites have attracted considerable academic and industrial research interest. The conductivity and physical properties of conjugated polymers have shown dramatic improvement with nanofiller addition. Appropriate fabrication strategies and the choice of a nanoreinforcement, along with a conducting matrix, may lead to enhanced physicochemical features and material performance. Substantial electrical conductivity, optical features, thermal stability, thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, and other physical properties of the conducting polymer-based nanocomposites have led to high-performance materials and high-tech devices and applications. This book begins with a widespread impression of state-of-the-art knowledge in indispensable features and processing of conducting polymer-based nanocomposites. It then discusses essential categories of conducting polymer-based nanocomposites such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, and derived nanomaterials. Subsequent sections of this book are related to the potential impact of conducting polymer-based nanocomposites in various technical fields. Significant application areas have been identified for anti-corrosion, EMI shielding, sensing, and energy device relevance. Finally, the book covers predictable challenges and future opportunities in the field of conjugated nanocomposites. - Integrates the fundamentals of conducting polymers and a range of multifunctional applications - Describes categories of essential conducting polymer-based nanocomposites for polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, and derivative materials - Assimilates the significance of multifunctional nanostructured materials of nanocomposite nanofibers - Portrays current and future demanding technological applications of conjugated polymer-based nanocomposites, including anti-corrosion coatings, EMI shielding, sensors, and energy production and storage devices

“Radioisotope Thin-Film Powered Microsystems” describes high energy density microbatteries required for compact long lifetime wireless sensor Microsystems. These microbatteries are presented alongside theories employing high energy density radioisotope thin films in actuating novel electromechanical energy converters. Also discussed are novel wireless sensor architectures that enable long lifetime wireless sensors Microsystems with minimal amounts of radioisotope fuel used. Ultra low-power beta radiation counting clocks are described in order to illustrate the application of radioisotope thin films in realizing the deployment of various components of Microsystems. “Radioisotope Thin-Film Powered Microsystems” also presents the latest work on 3D silicon electrovoltaic converters and energy density microbatteries required for high-power Microsystems.

Graphene to Polymer/Graphene Nanocomposites: Emerging Research and Opportunities brings together the latest advances and cutting-edge methods in polymer/graphene nanocomposites that offer attractive properties and features, leading to a broad range of valuable applications. The initial chapters of this book explain preparation, properties, modification, and applications of graphene and graphene-based multifunctional polymeric nanocomposites. Later, the state-of-the-art potential of polymer/graphene nanocomposites for hierarchical nanofoams, graphene quantum dots, graphene nanoplatelets, graphene nanoribbons, etc., has been elucidated. The subsequent chapters focus on specific innovations and applications including stimuli-responsive graphene-based materials, anticorrosive coatings, applications in electronics and energy devices, gas separation and filtration membrane applications, aerospace applications, and biomedical applications. Throughout the book, challenges, and future opportunities in the field of polymer/graphene nanocomposites are discussed and analyzed. This is an important resource for researchers, scientists, and students/academics working with graphene and across the fields of polymer composites, nanomaterials, polymer science, chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, materials science, and engineering, as well those in an industrial setting who are interested in graphene or innovative materials. - Explores the fundamentals, preparation, properties, processing, and applications of graphene and multifunctional polymer-graphene nanocomposites. - Focuses on the state of the art including topics such as nano-foam architectures, graphene quantum dots, graphene nanoplatelets, graphene nanoribbons, and other graphene nanostructures. - Provides advanced applications including shape memory materials, anticorrosion materials, electronics and energy devices, gas separation and filtration membranes, aerospace relevance, and biomedical applications.

This book concentrates on the luminescence and structural properties of the new generation of europium and terbium activated phosphors, associated phenomena, and related topics, from basic principles to the most recent discoveries. It summarizes the present state of the art in this rapidly growing field. The authors describe recent developments in

Although photovoltaics are regarded by many as the most likely candidate for long term sustainable energy production, their implementation has been restricted by the high costs involved. Nevertheless, the theoretical limit on photovoltaic energy conversion efficiency-above 85%-suggests that there is room for substantial improvement of current comme