Chinese researchers have developed a groundbreaking nuclear battery that promises significantly enhanced energy efficiency and an exceptionally long operational life, delivering three times the energy efficiency of conventional designs. The innovative battery, capable of withstanding at least half a century of radiation, represents a major leap forward in sustainable power solutions.
Breakthrough in Nuclear Battery Technology
The advancement comes from a team of scientists led by Dr. Haisheng San of Xiamen University and Dr. Xin Li of the China Institute of Atomic Energy. Their work aims to improve battery performance, particularly in extreme environments where long-term reliability is crucial, such as in space or deep-sea infrastructure. This breakthrough could redefine power sources for devices requiring consistent, long-duration energy without the need for recharging or maintenance.
Separately, Beijing Betavolt New Energy Technology Company Ltd. announced early in 2024 their BV100 nuclear battery, which is currently in the pilot testing stage with plans for mass production. This coin-sized battery, measuring 15x15x5 millimeters, utilizes nickel-63 isotopes and China’s first diamond semiconductor module to miniaturize atomic energy. The BV100 is designed to generate 100 microwatts of power at 3V and boasts a 50-year lifespan.
How Nuclear Batteries Work
Atomic or nuclear batteries, also known as radioisotope batteries, convert energy released from the decay of radioactive isotopes directly into electrical energy. Unlike nuclear reactors, they do not rely on a chain reaction. The Betavolt battery, for instance, uses a thin sheet of nickel-63, a radioactive isotope, sandwiched between two layers of a single-crystal diamond semiconductor. As the nickel-63 decays, it emits beta particles (electrons), which are then converted into an electrical current by the diamond semiconductor, forming an independent unit.
This betavoltaic conversion process is particularly suited for low-power applications where long life is paramount, such as implantable medical devices. Conventional nuclear batteries typically have an efficiency of 0.1–5%. The recent Chinese developments aim to significantly improve upon these figures.
Key Features and Safety
A key claim for these new nuclear batteries is their impressive longevity and safety profile. Betavolt asserts that their atomic energy battery is “absolutely safe, has no external radiation, and is suitable for use in medical devices such as pacemakers, artificial hearts, and cochleas in the human body.” The BV100’s layered design is also claimed to prevent combustion or explosion under sudden force, and it can operate across extreme temperatures, from -60°C to 120°C.
Furthermore, the environmental impact is minimized as the nickel-63 isotope, after its decay period, transforms into a stable, non-radioactive isotope of copper, posing no threat or pollution to the environment. This eliminates the need for complex disposal procedures associated with other radioactive materials.
Potential Applications
The long-lasting and maintenance-free nature of these nuclear batteries opens up a vast array of potential applications across various sectors:
- Aerospace: Powering satellites and deep-space probes for decades.
- Medical Equipment: Enabling pacemakers and other implantable devices to last a lifetime, removing the need for surgical replacements due to battery depletion.
- AI Equipment & Sensors: Providing stable, autonomous power for AI devices, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), and advanced sensors in remote or hard-to-reach locations.
- Drones & Robotics: Potentially allowing small drones to fly continuously and powering micro-robots for extended periods.
- Consumer Electronics: While current prototypes may not power high-demand devices like smartphones, future iterations aim to provide perpetual power, potentially eliminating the need for charging.
The Path to Mass Production
Betavolt aims to be the first company to mass-produce miniature nuclear batteries. The BV100 is in its pilot stage, with the company planning to launch a 1-watt battery in 2025, which would significantly expand its applicability for higher-power devices. China’s push for miniaturized nuclear batteries aligns with its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) to bolster its economy.
Other Notable Chinese Advancements
Beyond Betavolt, other Chinese institutions are also making strides in nuclear battery technology. Northwest Normal University, for instance, has developed a carbon-based nuclear battery called Zhulong-1, which uses Carbon-14 and is claimed to last a century or more. This Carbon-14 battery reportedly offers an energy density 10 times higher than a lithium-ion battery. Although current prototypes of the Zhulong-1 produce only nanowatts, efforts are underway to develop a coin-sized, cheaper-to-mass-produce Zhulong-2. China’s industrial capacity for producing Carbon-14 is seen as a key advantage in pushing this technology forward.
These ongoing developments highlight China’s growing leadership in advanced battery research, aiming to provide solutions for a world increasingly reliant on long-lasting, autonomous power sources.
