Beijing-based startup Betavolt has revealed a revolutionary nuclear battery that claims to generate electricity for an astonishing 50 years without the need for charging or maintenance.
Termed the “Betavolt atomic energy battery,” the company asserts that it is the first in the world to achieve the miniaturization of atomic energy, housing 63 nuclear isotopes within a module smaller than a coin.
The next-generation battery has already entered the pilot testing stage and is poised for mass production targeting various commercial applications, including phones and drones. Betavolt envisions its nuclear batteries catering to a wide array of industries, from aerospace and AI equipment to medical devices, microprocessors, advanced sensors, small drones, and micro-robots.
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“This new energy innovation will help China gain a leading edge in the new round of the AI technological revolution,” stated Betavolt in a press release.
“This new energy innovation will help China gain a leading edge in the new round of the AI technological revolution.”
The technology behind the battery involves converting the energy released by decaying isotopes into electricity—a process initially explored in the 20th century. While the Soviet Union and the United States made strides in developing this technology for spacecraft, underwater systems, and remote scientific stations, the resulting thermonuclear batteries were both expensive and bulky.
Under China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, aimed at strengthening the country’s economy between 2021 and 2025, the quest to miniaturize and commercialize nuclear batteries gained momentum. Notably, research institutions in the US and Europe are also actively working on similar developments.
The Betavolt atomic energy battery boasts impressive specifications, delivering 100 microwatts of power and a voltage of 3V, all packed into a module measuring 15x15x5 cubic millimeters. Betavolt has ambitious plans to produce a battery with 1 watt of power by 2025, marking a significant advancement in the technology.
One remarkable feature of these batteries is their small size, which opens up possibilities for series usage to generate more power. Betavolt envisions a future where mobile phones never need charging, and drones can sustain continuous flight.
The layered design of the battery not only prevents it from catching fire or exploding in response to sudden force but also enables it to operate in extreme temperatures ranging from -60°C to 120°C.
“The atomic energy battery developed by Betavolt is absolutely safe, has no external radiation, and is suitable for use in medical devices such as pacemakers, artificial hearts, and cochleas in the human body,” the company said.
Additionally, Betavolt noted the environmental friendliness of their technology, explaining that after the decay period, the 63 isotopes transform into a stable, non-radioactive isotope of copper, posing no threat or pollution to the environment.
The unveiling of Betavolt’s nuclear battery marks a significant leap forward in energy innovation, promising to reshape various industries and pave the way for a new era of sustainable and long-lasting power solutions.