Never Charge Your Mobile for a Lifetime Again? The Future of Tiny Nuclear Batteries
Imagine a world where you never have to charge your phone and pacemakers last a lifetime without needing a battery replacement. Scientists are working on tiny nuclear batteries powered by radiocarbon, a by-product of nuclear power plants that is safe and abundant.
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Unlike traditional lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which wear out over time and harm the environment, these new nuclear batteries use beta radiation to create a flow of electrons and generate electricity. Recent breakthroughs have improved their efficiency, and although challenges remain, this technology could make nuclear power accessible in everyday devices.
The Problem with Current Batteries
We've all been there: our phone dies at the worst possible moment, or an electric car runs out of power before reaching its destination. Li-ion batteries, which power most of our gadgets, only last a few hours or days before needing a recharge. Over time, they lose their ability to hold a charge, leading to even more frequent recharging.
In addition to being inconvenient, Li-ion batteries have environmental downsides. Mining lithium is energy-intensive and harmful to the planet, and improper disposal can pollute ecosystems. Scientists are searching for alternatives, and nuclear batteries might be the answer.
A New Kind of Battery
Professor Su-Il In and his team at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology in South Korea are developing nuclear batteries powered by radiocarbon. He will present his team's findings at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Spring 2025 meeting, an event featuring thousands of scientific presentations.
How Nuclear Batteries Work
Nuclear batteries generate power by capturing energy from radiation emitted by radioactive materials. Not all radioactive substances are dangerous, and beta particles (beta rays) can be easily blocked with materials like aluminum, making them relatively safe for everyday use.
Professor In’s team created a prototype betavoltaic battery using carbon-14, a radioactive form of carbon found in nuclear power plant waste. Carbon-14 emits only beta rays, making it a safer choice. It is also inexpensive and easy to recycle. Best of all, it decays very slowly, meaning a radiocarbon-powered battery could last for thousands of years.
Making Nuclear Batteries More Efficient
Most betavoltaic batteries work by using radiation to create electricity in a semiconductor material. To improve their design, the researchers used a semiconductor made of titanium dioxide (commonly found in solar cells) and added a ruthenium-based dye. A citric acid treatment helped strengthen the bond between the dye and titanium dioxide.
When beta rays hit the dye, they trigger a chain reaction of electron transfers called an electron avalanche, which generates electricity. The titanium dioxide then collects these electrons and transfers the power through an external circuit.
A Dual-Electrode Innovation
The team made another big improvement by adding radiocarbon to both the anode and the cathode. This increased the number of beta rays emitted and reduced energy loss between the two electrodes. The new design increased energy conversion efficiency from 0.48% to 2.86%, a major step forward.
Long-Term Potential
If nuclear batteries become widely available, they could revolutionize many industries. For example, a pacemaker powered by a nuclear battery could last a lifetime, eliminating the need for risky replacement surgeries.
However, these batteries convert only a small fraction of radioactive decay into electricity, producing less power than conventional Li-ion batteries. Future improvements, such as better beta-ray absorbers and optimized emitter shapes, could boost performance and make them more practical.
The Future of Nuclear Energy
As concerns about climate change grow, more people are warming up to the idea of nuclear energy. Most people think of nuclear power as something that only comes from massive power plants, but these tiny nuclear batteries could bring safe nuclear energy into everyday devices.
Thanks to researchers like Professor In and his team, we might one day carry nuclear-powered gadgets in our pockets. The future of energy is changing, and it might be much smaller and more powerful than we ever imagined. Source- scitechdaily
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