China invent cell by the company. Betavolt claims their battery won’t catch fire or explode when punctured or shot. A safety feature absent in some current batteries.
China invent cell by chinese Betavolt company. Asserts the creation of a battery capable of powering mobile phones indefinitely and enabling drones to fly perpetually. Photo: Betavolt. Tech
A startup from China asserts they’ve created a battery capable of sustaining smartphones for 50 years without requiring recharging.
Betavolt, headquartered in Beijing, claims its nuclear battery is groundbreaking, achieving atomic energy miniaturization. The module, smaller than a coin, incorporates 63 nuclear isotopes. The battery operates by converting energy released from decaying isotopes into electricity, utilizing a process explored in the 20th century, according to an Independent article.
Describing it as the next-gen battery, the company has initiated pilot testing, with plans for mass production targeting commercial applications such as phones and drones. Betavolt’s atomic energy batteries aim to provide enduring power in various scenarios, including aerospace, AI equipment, medical tools, microprocessors, advanced sensors, small drones, and micro-robots, as stated in a press release. The startup envisions this energy innovation propelling China to the forefront of the new AI technological revolution.
Betavolt’s initial nuclear battery boasts 100 microwatts of power and a 3V voltage within a compact 15x15x5 cubic millimeters. Their goal is to develop a 1-watt battery by 2025. The small size allows for series use, envisioning phones that never require charging and drones with perpetual flight. Additionally, the layered design ensures safety, resisting fire or explosions even under sudden force, while maintaining functionality in temperatures spanning from -60 degrees Celsius to 120 degrees Celsius, according to Betavolt.
Operational Mechanism
Creating the radioactive battery involved utilizing nickel-63, a radioactive element, as the energy source, and employing diamond semiconductors as energy converters. The team crafted a thin, 10-micron single-crystal diamond semiconductor, positioning a 2-micron nickel-63 sheet between two diamond semiconductor converters. The decay energy from the radioactive source is then transformed into an electric current.
Betavolt highlights the advantages of its atomic energy batteries, emphasizing their lightweight nature, extended service life, and high energy density. Additionally, these batteries can function efficiently within a broad temperature range, from -60 to 120 degrees Celsius. The modular design enables the connection of multiple atomic batteries, offering increased energy output suitable for applications such as automotive technology and AI systems.
Radiation considerations
Betavolt assures safety by highlighting the absence of external radiation in its nuclear battery. The BV100 is considered suitable for medical devices inside the human body, posing no environmental threat as its isotopes transition into a stable, non-radioactive form. Additionally, the battery is designed to eliminate risks associated with damage, ensuring it won’t catch fire or explode in response to punctures or high temperatures, a notable improvement over certain current batteries.
Implications of Miniaturized Nuclear Batteries
Scientists in the Soviet Union and the United States developed this technology for spacecraft, underwater systems, and remote scientific stations. However, these thermonuclear batteries were costly and bulky.
The effort to miniaturize and commercialize nuclear batteries is part of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, aimed at strengthening the country’s economy from 2021 to 2025. Meanwhile, research institutions in the US and Europe are also working on their development. This technology has the potential to revolutionize electronics, eliminating the need for chargers or portable power banks. Devices powered by nuclear batteries could run continuously without degradation in capacity and lifespan over charging cycles, unlike Li-ion batteries. This could lead to drones that fly continuously, phones that run non-stop, and electric cars that don’t need recharging.
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