19/01/2024
A Chinese startup, Betavolt, has developed a compact nuclear battery claiming a 50-year lifespan without the need for recharging. Roughly the size of a small coin, the BV100 battery utilizes the energy emitted by a decaying radioactive isotope of nickel (nickel-63) within layers of single-crystal diamond semiconductor. Betavolt asserts its technology is ahead of European and American scientific research institutions.
The BV100 battery can store 3,300 megawatt hours, boasting an energy density over ten times that of conventional lithium batteries. With dimensions of 15 x 15 x 15 millimeters, the battery produces 100 microwatts of power at 3 volts. Though currently not potent enough for smartphones or laptops, Betavolt suggests multiple batteries could be used in series or parallel for more demanding applications.
Despite concerns, Betavolt assures the battery's safety, envisioning its use in medical devices like pacemakers. The company emphasizes that the battery won't catch fire or explode in response to external stimuli. While thermonuclear batteries are currently limited to aerospace engineering, Betavolt envisions consumer use in everyday life.
The BV100 is in its pilot stage, with plans for mass production. Betavolt aims to develop more powerful batteries and explore the use of different radioactive isotopes. The company anticipates launching a 1-watt battery in 2025, suggesting potential applications in perpetually charged mobile phones and continuous-flight drones, pending regulatory approval.