Thermal Characteristics of Advanced Thermionics Technology Programs at Wright Laboratory

This paper summarizes two thermionic technology programs being managed at Wright Laboratory: The Advanced Thermionics Initiative (ATI) Program, and The Thermionics Critical Technology (TCT) Investigation. These programs are supported by Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) and United States Air Force, respectively. The described programs contain thermionics technology improvement efforts for both in-core and out-of-core reactor concepts; including, creep resistant emitter materials, cesium reservoirs, diamond film development, design analysis codes, and collector surface physics. This paper describes the current status of these programs, as well as, program goals for future evolutionary improvements in thermionic converter technology.