%0 Journal Article
%T An experimental apparatus for study of direct ¦Â-radiation conversion for energy harvesting
%A Y. Haim
%A Y. Marciano
%A G. deBotton
%J Physics
%D 2014
%I arXiv
%X This paper introduces the development and testing of an experimental apparatus for characterization of a direct charging nuclear battery. The battery consists of a parallel-plates capacitor which is charged in a vacuum by the current of {\beta}-radiation particles (electrons) emitted from a radioisotope. A 63Ni radioisotope with an activity of 15mCi that produces a 20pA current was selected as the radiation source. The apparatus is unique in its design, having ultra-low leakage current and a few options for charge measurements. Preliminary results of a few tests are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the apparatus.
%U http://arxiv.org/abs/1401.1042v1