Skip to main content

Thermionics Quo Vadis? An Assessment of the DTRA's Advanced Thermionics Research and Development Program (2001) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

1 Introduction
Pages 6-9

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 6...
... · Assess the technical challenges to the development of viable thermionic energy conversion systems for both space and terrestrial applications. · Recommend a prioritized set of objectives for a future research and development program for advanced thermionic systems for space and terrestrial applications.
Read the entire page →
From page 7...
... applications and commercial power technology development activities were assessed based on discussions with commercial power industry representatives and a recent NRC study on the DOE's renewable energy program (NRC 2000~. During the information gathering phase of the study, the committee received technical briefings from all of the researchers in the United States currently sponsored by the DTRA program.
Read the entire page →
From page 8...
... Given the tremendous cost of developing and deploying space nuclear reactors, the committee does not recommend pursuing either short-term thermionic technology solely for use with nuclear power sources or system development activities until a mission is identified that will require such a power source. Should a high power mission, one requiring a nuclear reactor in space, be identified, the demonstrated capabilities of thermionic systems, coupled with their intrinsic low mass and compactness, could satisfy future space power requirements in the low to mid tens of kilowatts to megawatts.
Read the entire page →
From page 9...
... National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. NRC (National Research Council)
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • energy conversion
  • nuclear reactor
  • power sources
  • space nuclear
  • commercial power

  • thermionic energy
  • renewable energy
  • solar thermionic
  • thermionics research
  • topaz international

  • power requirements
  • space missions
  • international program
  • dtra program
  • terrestrial applications

  • states department
  • renewable power
  • energy programs
  • portable power
  • advanced thermionics

  • advanced power
  • technical briefings
  • nuclear reactors
  • power industry
  • industry representatives

  • gathering phase
  • power technology
  • information gathering
  • advanced nuclear
  • reactor power


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.