Ever had your phone die at the worst possible moment? Or worried that your electric vehicle (EV) won’t have enough charge to make it home? Traditional lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries power many of the devices we rely on daily, but they degrade over time, requiring frequent recharging. Now, researchers are exploring nuclear batteries as a long-term energy solution—one that could last for decades, or even centuries, without ever needing a recharge.
Su-Il In, a professor at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology, is at the forefront of this research and will be presenting his findings at the upcoming American Chemical Society (ACS) spring meeting.
Why Nuclear Batteries?
The limitations of Li-ion batteries go beyond the inconvenience of constant recharging. The environmental cost is significant—lithium mining is highly energy-intensive, and improper disposal can contaminate ecosystems. Meanwhile, as smart devices, data centers, and electric-powered technologies continue to expand, the need for a more sustainable energy source is becoming critical.
But improving Li-ion batteries might not be the answer. “The performance of Li-ion batteries is almost saturated,” says In, who is now focused on advancing nuclear batteries as an alternative.
Unlike conventional batteries, nuclear batteries generate power using high-energy particles emitted from radioactive materials. Not all radiation is harmful, and certain shielding materials can block emissions, making these batteries safer than many might assume. For example, beta particles—also known as beta rays—can be stopped by something as thin as an aluminum sheet, making betavoltaic batteries a viable and secure option.
A Battery That Could Last for Millennia?
In and his research team have developed a betavoltaic battery prototype using carbon-14, a radioactive isotope of carbon commonly known as radiocarbon. “I decided to use radiocarbon because it only emits beta rays,” In explains. Additionally, radiocarbon is a byproduct of nuclear power plants, meaning it’s inexpensive, widely available, and easy to recycle. Due to its extremely slow decay rate, a battery powered by radiocarbon could theoretically function for thousands of years.
The key to making these batteries more efficient lies in semiconductor technology. When beta rays strike a semiconductor, they release electrons, generating electricity. To enhance this process, In’s team used a titanium dioxide-based semiconductor, which is often used in solar cells, and treated it with a ruthenium-based dye. A citric acid treatment further strengthened the bond between the titanium dioxide and dye, ensuring better energy conversion.
When beta rays interact with the ruthenium dye, they trigger an electron avalanche, a cascade effect that increases the number of electrons being transferred. The titanium dioxide then collects these electrons efficiently, producing usable electricity.
A Leap in Energy Conversion Efficiency
To improve energy generation, the team placed radiocarbon in both the cathode and the anode of the battery. This design tweak significantly increased the number of beta rays produced while reducing energy loss. In testing, the modified battery achieved an energy conversion efficiency of 2.86%, a massive improvement over the previous 0.48%.
Though still far from matching Li-ion batteries in raw power output, these advancements suggest that nuclear batteries could be a game-changer for long-term energy needs. Imagine a pacemaker that never needs replacement, eliminating the need for risky surgeries, or a space probe that powers itself for centuries without requiring maintenance.
The Next Steps for Nuclear Batteries
Despite the progress, current betavoltaic batteries convert only a small fraction of radioactive decay into usable energy. The next frontier? Optimizing beta-ray emitters and developing more efficient absorbers to increase power output.
As the world moves toward cleaner energy, public perception of nuclear power is evolving. Traditionally seen as a technology confined to massive power plants, nuclear energy could soon be miniaturized—delivering safe, long-lasting power to devices as small as a fingertip.
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