Sample of a diamond battery. (Image Credit: University of Bristol)
Engineers at the University of Bristol developed the world's first nuclear-powered battery, which they claim can generate electricity via the reaction of a radioactive isotope placed within a diamond. It also collects fast-moving electrons excited by radiation, operating similarly to a photovoltaic cell that transforms photons into energy. The team says their element 14.... I mean, carbon-14 diamond battery could power devices for thousands of years.
In 2017, the university created a prototype diamond battery with nickel-63 for the radioactive source. Their latest development uses carbon-14 radioactive isotopes enclosed within diamonds. Carbon-14 releases short-range radiation that gets absorbed by solid material, like the diamond that stores it. This prevents the radiation from escaping and harming anyone. The battery doesn't need any maintenance as it doesn't have any moving parts.
"Diamond batteries offer a safe, sustainable way to provide continuous microwatt levels of power. They are an emerging technology that use a manufactured diamond to safely encase small amounts of carbon-14," said Sarah Clark, Director of Tritium Fuel Cycle at UKAEA.
A carbon-14 battery diamond would take 5,730 years to deplete to 50% power due to its half-life. So, a spacecraft using the carbon-14 diamond battery for power would reach Alpha Centauri before its power depletes drastically.
Overall, this battery can be used in spacecraft, medical devices, and electronics. For example, diamond batteries could have applications in hearing aids, pacemakers, and ocular implants, minimizing the requirement for replacements. It can also be used for powering RF tags to track and identify on-earth or in-space devices, including spacecraft and payloads.
"Our micropower technology can support a whole range of important applications from space technologies and security devices through to medical implants. We're excited to be able to explore all of these possibilities, working with partners in industry and research, over the next few years," said Professor Tom Scott, Professor of Materials at the University of Bristol.
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