High efficiency 4-π negatron β-3 particle emission source fabrication and its use as an electrode in a self-charged high-voltage capacitor

A method for making an encapsulated β− particle emitter, the method comprising:

• a. depositing a β−-emitting radioisotope-containing sol-gel on a surface of a substrate;
• b. curing the deposited β−-emitting radioisotope-containing sol-gel to form a solid radioactive oxide coating comprising the β−-emitting radioisotope and an oxide;
• and
• c. placing a cover, at least a portion of which is an electrically conductive sheet, on the deposited β−-emitting radioisotope-containing sol-gel so that cover in combination with the substrate encapsulate the cured deposited β−-emitting radioisotope-containing sol-gel.

A directly charged beta (negatron) nuclear decay capacitor comprising:

• a. an encapsulated β− particle emitter that comprises:
• i. a sol-gel derived core that comprises a β−-emitting radioisotope;
• and
• ii. an encapsulant enclosing the core through which at least some of the β− emissions from the β−-emitting radioisotope pass, wherein the encapsulant comprises a substrate and a cover and at least a portion of the encapsulant is electrically conductive;
• b. an electrically conductive collector for collecting β− particles from the encapsulated β− particle emitter;
• and
• c. a dielectric between the encapsulated β− particle emitter and the electrically conductive collector.

A method of performing work, the method comprising delivering the electrical energy of a directly charged beta (negatron) nuclear decay capacitor through a circuit, wherein the directly charged beta (negatron) nuclear decay capacitor comprises:

• a. an encapsulated β− particle emitter that comprises:
• i. a sol-gel derived core that comprises a β−-emitting radioisotope;
• and
• ii. an encapsulant enclosing the core through which at least some of the β− emissions from the β−-emitting radioisotope pass, wherein the encapsulant comprises a substrate and a cover and at least a portion of the encapsulant is electrically conductive;
• b. an electrically conductive collector for collecting β− particles from the encapsulated β− particle emitter;
• and
• c. a dielectric between the encapsulated β− particle emitter and the electrically conductive collector.