# US 10,373,723 B2 · Isotope energy conversion and spent nuclear fuel storage systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,373,723 B2 - Document ID: US10373723B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/870,845 - Filed: 2015-09-30 - Published: 2016-03-31 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-30 - Assignees: The Curators of the University of Missouri - Applicants: The Curators of the University of Missouri - Inventors: Robert V. Tompson, Jr.; Mark A. Prelas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10373723B2 ## CPC - G21H 1/12: Cells using conversion of the radiation into light combined with subsequent photoelectric conversion into electric energy - G21F 5/008: Containers for fuel elements - G21H: OBTAINING ENERGY FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES; APPLICATIONS OF RADIATION FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; UTILISING COSMIC RADIATION (measurement of nuclear or X-radiation G01T; fusion reactors G21B; nuclear reactors G21C; lamps in which a gas filling is excited to luminescence by external corpuscular radiation or by radioactive material structurally associated with the lamp H01J65/04, H01J65/06) - G21F: PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR (radiation protection by pharmaceutical means A61K8/00, A61Q17/04; in cosmonautic vehicles B64G1/54; combined with a reactor G21C11/00; combined with X-ray tubes H01J35/16; combined with X-ray apparatus H05G1/02) ## Abstract The invention provides methods, devices and systems for excimer fluorescence energy conversion from isotopes. Unprocessed spent nuclear fuel can be used as an isotope, and processed spent nuclear fuel can be used as an isotope. A method includes placing an excimer in the path of radiation decay from the isotope. The excimer is selected according to the isotope to absorb the radiation decay and emit photons in response. Surrounding environment is shielded from the radiation decay. Photons generated from the fluorescence of the excimer are received with photovoltaic material to generate electrical energy. The electrical energy is applied to a load. Systems of the invention can be based upon spent storage casks and handle unprocessed spent nuclear fuel, or can be greatly reduced in size and handle processed fuel, with single isotope isolation allowing consumer battery sized systems. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An isotope energy recovery system, the system comprising: a shielded spent nuclear fuel storage cask being sized to contain nuclear fuel rods including the isotope; reflective surfaces within the storage cask and around the fuel rods; an excimer medium surrounding the fuel rods in the path of radiation decay from the isotope, wherein the excimer absorbs the radiation decay and emits photons in response; a photovoltaic cell disposed to receive the photons; connections external to the storage cask for a load to draw power from the photovoltaic cell. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the isotope comprises an alpha emitter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the isotope consists of an alpha emitter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the isotope comprises a beta emitter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the isotope consists of an beta emitter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said excimer medium comprises a gas excimer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein said excimer medium comprises a gas plenum contained in said storage cask under pressure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said excimer medium comprises a liquid. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, further comprising a lightpipe to isolate said photovoltaic cell and to direct photons toward said photovoltaic cell. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said excimer medium comprises a solid. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said storage cask comprises opposite top and bottom ends and said photovoltaic cell is disposed on one of the top and bottom ends of said cask and is shielded with material transparent to photons. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said photovoltaic cell lines walls of said reflective surfaces. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a heat to energy conversion device attached to the storage cask. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the storage cask is table top sized and the fuel rods are processed to fit with the table top sized storage cask. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel rods are unprocessed.