具有独特用途的放射性同位素电池

Radioisotope battery for particular application

放射性同位素电池是20世纪60年代发展起来的一种新型电源。由于它具有寿命长、工作可靠、对环境适应性强、不需经常维护、结构紧凑、比容量高等优点,因而在空间、陆地海上、海底以及医学领域都有独特的用途。本文分析了热电型放射性同位素电池的特点、基本原理、主要构成,介绍了热电型放射性同位素电池在空间地球卫星、月面试验站、外层星际探测以及在地面、海下、医学等方面的广泛应用,并展望了放射性同位素电池在21世纪的发展应用前景。

Radioisotope battery, as a new type of power source, was developed in 1960s. It is advantageous in terms of long working life, high reliability, flexibility to rugged environment, maintenance free, and high capacity rate, hence its unique applications in space, isolated terrestrial or ocean spots, deep waters, and medicine. In this paper, we analysz the primary performances and classification of radioisotope thermoelectric generator, as well as characteristic, basic principle, and structure of radioisotope thermoelectric generator （RTG）, which is the most popular in application of radioisotope battery in space, undersea, terrestrial and medicine. A prospect for development and application of radioisotope battery in the 21st century is given, too.