Scientists have created a nuclear-diamond battery that can power devices for thousands of years
Scientists from the University of Bristol in the UK have developed the world's first prototype nuclear battery using a radioactive isotope of carbon-14 encased in an artificial diamond. This battery could power small devices for thousands of years.
Here's What We Know
Carbon-14 was chosen because of its short-wave radiation, which is quickly absorbed by any solid material, making the battery safe. The battery works on the principle of converting radioactive decay energy into electricity, similar to how solar panels convert light into energy. One gram of carbon-14 can produce 15 joules of energy per day.
For example, a standard AA alkaline battery has more power than a nuclear-diamond battery in the short term, but it will be discharged within 24 hours. A nuclear-diamond battery has a much longer life. The half-life of carbon-14 is 5,730 years, which means that the battery will retain half its capacity even after thousands of years. This technology could find applications in medical devices, spacecraft and other areas where long-term power supply is required without the need to replace batteries.
Source: University of Bristol
