World News Science & Technology

Posted by admin on 2024-02-10 |

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A Chinese startup, Betavolt, has unveiled a revolutionary coin-sized nuclear battery capable of generating electricity for up to 50 years without requiring any charging. This breakthrough, targeted for civilian use, could potentially revolutionize the energy sector, particularly in powering devices like smartphones. The battery harnesses the energy from a decaying radioactive isotope of nickel (Ni-63), housed between layers of single-crystal diamond semiconductor, each just 10 microns thick.

Betavolt claims that this nuclear battery boasts an energy storage capacity of 3300-megawatt hours, surpassing conventional lithium batteries by more than tenfold in energy density. Moreover, the company emphasizes its exceptional longevity, highlighting its ability to sustain output for half a century without needing recharging or maintenance.

Measuring a mere 15x15x15 millimeters, with an output of 100 microwatts and 3 volts of voltage, the current capacity may not be sufficient to directly charge high-power electronic devices like smartphones. However, Betavolt assures that despite its nuclear nature, the battery is entirely safe for civilian use. They assert that it poses no risk of external radiation, and it is designed not to catch fire or explode, even under extreme conditions such as acupuncture or gunshots.

While still in the pilot stage, Betavolt aims to scale up production soon, pending regulatory approvals. The company envisions a future where atomic energy batteries could power devices indefinitely, eliminating the need for charging the smartphones, and enabling continuous operation of drones and medical devices like pacemakers and artificial hearts.