Patent ID: 8094771

Claim:
A nuclear voltaic cell configured to generate an electrical current, comprising: a first metal contact layer having a first side; a second metal contact layer having a first side, wherein said first side of said second metal contact layer is positioned facing said first side of said first metal contact layer and forms a channel between said first and second metal contact layers; a liquid semiconductor located within said channel and in contact with said first side of said first metal contact layer and in contact with said first side of said second metal contact layer, wherein said liquid semiconductor contains a radioactive isotope in solution and said first side of said first metal contact layer forms a Schottky contact with said liquid semiconductor, and said first side of said second metal contact layer forms a low resistance or ohmic contact with said liquid semiconductor, and wherein said liquid semiconductor comprises at least one chalcogen, said chalcogen selected from the group consisting essentially of sulfur, selenium and tellurium; and an electrical circuit connecting said first metal contact layer to said second metal contact layer.