The Alkali Metal Thermoelectric Converter (AMTEC) is a direct energy conversion device, utilizing a high sodium vapor pressure or activity ratio across a beta"-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE). It has been operated at a device efficiency of 19% and at power densities near 1.0 W/cm2. This paper describes progress on the remaining scien-tific issue which must be resolved to demonstrate AMTEC feasibility for space power systems: a stable, high power density electrode. Two electrode systems have recently been discovered at JPL that now have the potential to meet space power requirements. One of these is a very thin sputtered molybdenum film, less than 0.5 micron thick, with over-lying current collection grids. This electrode has experimentally demonstrated stable performance at 0.4-0.5 W/cm2 for hundreds of hours. Recent modeling results show that at least 0.7 W/cm2 can be achieved. The model of electrode performance now includes all loss mechanisms, including charge transfer resistances at the electrode/electrolyte interface. A second electrode composition, co-sputtered platinum/tungsten, has demon-strated 0.8 W/cm2 for 160 hours. Systems studies show that a stable electrode performance of 0.6 W/cm2 will enable high efficiency (near 20%) space power systems.
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