AMTEC Energy Conversion Technology

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AMTEC Energy Conversion Technology
Small Business Innovation Research
Advanced Modular Power Systems, Inc.
Ann Arbor, MI

• ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• ? Designed, built and tested a sodium
  recirculation system based solely on capillary
  structures
• ? AMTEC cell operated continuously at 873K for
  8,500 hours
• ? AMTEC cell operated normally in a variety of
  orientations with respect to gravity
• COMMERCIALIZATION
• ? Alternative electric power source for homes in
  combination with gas residential heaters
• ? Remote site power including arctic monitoring
  stations, cathodic protection of pipelines, and
  communication stations
• ? Power sources for recreational vehicles and
  vacation homes
• ? Power source for future communication
  satellites

INNOVATION New sodium recirculation
(micromachined wick) technology for AMTEC power
source
Possible Power System for Solar Probe and Future
Deep Space Missions

• GOVERNMENT/ SCIENCE APPLICATIONS
• ? Technology selected for Advanced Radio Isotope
  Power System (ARPS) - possible power source for
  future deep space missions including Solar Probe
• ? Received 12M under contract with Lockheed
  Martin for ARPS development
• ? Received 1.2M for future space shuttle flight
  demonstration

1990 Phase II NAS7-1196 Success Story 7-002
Jet Propulsion Laboratory