British scientists have developed carbon-14 diamond battery technology that can power low-energy devices for more than 5,000 years. The next-generation battery is produced using the radioactive carbon-14 isotope, and this innovation promises to revolutionize the field of energy storage.
How Do Diamond Batteries Work?
Since the half-life of carbon-14 is 5,700 years, these batteries can provide energy for thousands of years. In the structure of the battery, radioactive carbon-14 decays and emits electrons, and a thin diamond layer converts these electrons into electricity. Diamond also ensures safety by completely absorbing radioactive radiation.
How Will the Battery Change Future Technology?
Diamond batteries are intended to be used in devices such as pacemakers, hearing aids, watches and computer chips. In addition, it is stated that NASA can extend the life of these devices for thousands of years by providing energy to the communication equipment of spacecraft on deep space missions such as Voyager 1.
How Does the Production and Research Process Progress?
This technology, developed in collaboration with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Agency (UKAEA) and the University of Bristol, was produced from carbon-14 isotopes in graphite blocks obtained from nuclear reactors. The diamond part of the battery was created using a special plasma deposition method at UKAEA’s Culham Campus near Oxford.
Statement from Researchers
“We are still in the early stages but we are aiming to establish industrial partnerships for the potential commercialization of this technology,” said Tom Scott, Professor of Materials Science at the University of Bristol. Scott and his team continued their diamond battery work, which they started in 2016, and founded a company called Arkenlight.
Sarah Clark from UKAEA said, “Diamond batteries offer the opportunity to provide safe and sustainable energy at a continuous microwatt level.”
Scientists emphasize that the battery can be recycled at the end of its life and will not pose an environmental risk. This development could be a groundbreaking solution for low-energy devices.
