Using Thermoacoustics To Develop Self-Powered Nuclear Reactor Backup Sensors

A thermoacoustic device uses sound waves to move heat from one place to another or use heat to create sound waves. Using this principle, a thermoacoustic engine uses either the heat transfer or the sound waves to produce electricity, cooling, or heat pumping.


Currently, researchers are looking into electricity created from pressure (piezoelectricity), refrigeration, and cryogenic applications.


Another category thermoacoustics can be of use, is in the development of sensors, particularly backup sensors for nuclear reactors. The Fukushima nuclear disaster is a prime example of this.


In the Fukushima incident, the power connections failed cutting off electricity to the backups, pumps, and sensor systems shutting them down. The reactors overheated due to the high radioactive decay heat and the nuclear plant's operators could not monitor the fuel rods in the reactor and spent fuel in the storage ponds.