Battery that will last 50 years without charging is coming

Beijing-based Betavolt stated that its nuclear battery is the first in the world to achieve the miniaturization of atomic energy, with 63 nuclear isotopes placed into a module smaller than a coin.

The company said the new generation of battery has already entered the pilot testing phase and will eventually be mass-produced for commercial applications such as phones and drones.

In a press release, the firm said, "Betavolt atomic energy batteries can meet the long-term power supply needs in many scenarios, such as aerospace, AI equipment, medical equipment, microprocessors, advanced sensors, small drones, and micro-robots."

HOW THE BATTERY WORKS

The battery works by converting the energy released by the decay of isotopes into electricity, a process first discovered in the 20th century.

Scientists in the Soviet Union and the United States succeeded in developing the technology for use in spacecraft, underwater systems, and remote scientific stations, but thermonuclear batteries were both costly and bulky.

The quest to miniaturize and commercialize nuclear batteries is being addressed under China's 14th Five-Year Plan, which aims to strengthen the country's economy between 2021 and 2025, while research institutions in the US and Europe are also working on their development.

Betavolt stated that its first nuclear battery measures 15x15x5 cubic millimeters and can deliver 100 microwatts of power and 3V of voltage, but it plans to produce a 1-watt battery by 2025.

Their small size means they can be used in series to generate more power; the company envisions mobile phones that never need to be charged and drones that can fly forever. Betavolt claims that its layered design also means it will not catch fire or explode under sudden force, and that it can operate at temperatures between -60C and 120C.

News Source: 12punto