A nuclear-powered battery might remove the need for recharging

Radiocarbon-powered nuclear batteries cut recharging needs, boosting efficiency and longevity.

: Skye Jacobs reports a team led by Su-Il In at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute is pioneering nuclear-powered batteries. These batteries last decades using radiocarbon with a half-life of 5,730 years. Betavoltaic technology leverages carbon-14's beta particles and features a semiconductor with advanced materials. Despite their lower output compared to Li-ion, they offer unmatched longevity for devices like pacemakers and satellites.

In the realm of technological advancements, a revolutionary discovery by Su-Il In’s team from South Korea's Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology presents nuclear-powered batteries without recharging necessities. Skye Jacobs outlines in a recent piece how this energetically sustainable innovation is timely for combating the limitations of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, addressing frequent recharges and environmental impacts linked to lithium mining and battery disposal. At the American Chemical Society's Spring 2025 meeting, Professor In highlighted how radiocarbon, an inexpensive and readily available by-product of nuclear power plants, powers these batteries owing to its extended half-life of 5,730 years and minimal harmful emissions.

These batteries harness electricity by exploiting high-energy particles emitted during the decay of radiocarbon, a distinct beta particle emitter. This makes them safer than conventional sources emitting gamma rays. The practical betavoltaic battery implements a sophisticated semiconductor based on titanium dioxide, featuring a ruthenium-based dye improved by citric acid. This enhancement strengthens the tissue’s sensitivity to beta radiation and achieves high-efficiency energy conversion through an “electron avalanche” triggered on the semiconductor surface.

One pivotal innovation is embedding radiocarbon in both battery electrodes, contrasted with its previous single-site application, effectively doubling beta particle generation and decreasing inter-electrode energy loss. The result exhibits a striking amplification in energy efficiency from 0.48% in earlier designs to an improved 2.86%, albeit trailing behind the 90% efficiency of Li-ion batteries. Despite this, the unparalleled durability and reliability of these nuclear batteries for applications like pacemakers and satellites could lead to groundbreaking shifts across multiple industries.

Validating its futuristic potential, In’s innovative design envisions the adoption of these safe, miniature nuclear energy sources in common devices, beyond large power stations. The goal is to refine beta-ray emitters' contours and enhance energy absorbers to boost power production further. Supported by Korea’s National Research Foundation and Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology Research and Development Program under the Ministry of Science and ICT, this initiative represents a beacon of hope for more efficient, sustainable power consumption in the future.

By investigating more efficient absorbers and refining beta-ray emitter shapes, In’s team is determined to optimize the performance of these radiocarbon batteries. Their research showcases a profound step towards integrating safe nuclear energy in daily utilized technology, ensuring power independence in extreme conditions. Such strides could redefine power management across numerous high-demand sectors, offering unprecedented operational lifespans and reshaping satellite, medical device, and transportation industries.

Sources: Skye Jacobs, American Chemical Society.

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