Nuclear Batteries: A New Source of Power for the Future?
Imagine a device that can power your smartphone, your laptop, or even your pacemaker for decades without ever needing to be recharged or replaced. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, such devices already exist, and they are called nuclear batteries.
What are nuclear batteries?
Nuclear batteries are small devices that use radioactive isotopes to generate electricity for a long time without recharging or refueling. Unlike conventional nuclear reactors, which use nuclear fission to produce heat and then electricity, nuclear batteries use a direct conversion process, which converts the radiation emitted by the radioactive decay into electric current.
There are different types of nuclear batteries, depending on the type of radiation and the conversion method used. For example, betavoltaic batteries use beta particles (electrons) and semiconductor junctions, while thermoelectric batteries use heat and thermocouples.
What are the latest developments in nuclear battery technology?
Betavolt’s nuclear batteries use nickel-63, a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 100 years, as the source of beta particles. The beta particles are then converted into electricity by a thin layer of diamond semiconductor, which has a high efficiency and a wide band gap. The whole device is encapsulated in a metal casing, which shields the radiation and makes it safe to handle.
Betavolt is not the only company working on nuclear batteries. Two other notable projects are NDB and City Labs, both based in the US.
NDB is a British-American company that claims to have developed a nuclear battery that can last up to 28,000 years, using carbon-14, a radioactive isotope derived from nuclear waste, as the source of beta particles. NDB’s nuclear battery also uses diamond as the converter, but with a different structure and design. NDB says that its nuclear battery can provide power for anything from smartphones to electric vehicles, and that it can also reduce the amount of nuclear waste by recycling it into a useful product.
City Labs is an American company that has been selling nuclear batteries for military and aerospace applications since 2012. City Labs’ nuclear batteries use tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, as the source of beta particles, and silicon as the converter. City Labs’ nuclear batteries have a power output of 100 microwatts and a voltage of 3.6 volts, and can operate in harsh environments, such as extreme temperatures, pressures, and vibrations. City Labs’ nuclear batteries are mainly used for low-power sensors, microelectronics, microcontrollers, and more.
What are the pros and cons of nuclear batteries?
Nuclear batteries have several advantages over conventional batteries:
- High energy density: Nuclear batteries can store much more energy per unit mass or volume than chemical batteries, which means they can provide more power for longer periods of time. For example, Betavolt’s nuclear battery has an energy density of 3.3 kWh/kg, which is 10 times more than the specific energy of commercial chemical cells.
- Long lifespan: Nuclear batteries can last for decades or even centuries, depending on the half-life of the radioactive isotope used, without needing to be recharged or replaced. This means they can reduce the cost and hassle of battery maintenance and disposal, and also avoid the risk of battery degradation or failure over time. For example, NDB’s nuclear battery can last for 28,000 years, which is longer than the age of human civilization.
- Reliability: Nuclear batteries can operate continuously and consistently, regardless of the external conditions, such as temperature, humidity, light, or air. This means they can provide a stable and predictable power output for devices that require constant and uninterrupted operation, such as medical implants, sensors, or IoT devices. For example, City Labs’ nuclear batteries can operate in environments between -55º C and 150º C, seeing little to no loss in efficiency.
- Safety: Nuclear batteries are designed to be safe and robust, and to emit no external radiation. The radioactive isotopes used are encapsulated in a protective casing, which prevents any leakage or exposure. The radiation emitted is also low-energy and short-range, which means it can be easily stopped by a thin layer of material, such as metal or plastic. The radioactive isotopes used are also relatively benign and have low toxicity, compared to other nuclear materials. For example, tritium and nickel-63 are both beta emitters, which are less harmful than alpha or gamma emitters.
However, nuclear batteries also have some disadvantages and challenges:
- Low power output: Nuclear batteries can only provide a small amount of power, typically in the range of microwatts to milliwatts, which limits their applications to low-power devices. For example, Betavolt’s nuclear battery can only generate 100 microwatts of power, which is enough to power a small sensor, but not a smartphone.
- High cost: Nuclear batteries are very expensive to produce and purchase, due to the high cost of the radioactive isotopes, the diamond semiconductors, and the manufacturing process. This makes them unaffordable for most consumers and businesses, and also raises questions about the economic viability and scalability of the technology. For example, City Labs’ nuclear batteries cost around $1,000 per unit, which is much higher than the cost of conventional batteries.
- Regulatory approval: Nuclear batteries face strict regulations and restrictions from the authorities, due to the potential risks and concerns associated with the use of radioactive materials. This means they have to undergo rigorous testing and certification, and also comply with the rules and standards of different countries and regions. This can delay the development and deployment of the technology, and also limit its market access and acceptance. For example, NDB’s nuclear battery has to obtain approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which can take years to complete.
- Public perception: Nuclear batteries face a negative public perception and a lack of awareness, due to the general fear and stigma associated with anything nuclear. Many people may not understand the difference between nuclear batteries and nuclear reactors, and may associate them with the same dangers and disasters. This can affect the demand and adoption of the technology, and also require a lot of education and communication to overcome the misconceptions and prejudices. For example, Betavolt’s nuclear battery may face resistance from the consumers and the media, who may question its safety and necessity.
- Competition: Nuclear batteries face competition from other energy sources and technologies, such as solar, wind, hydro, fuel cells, and supercapacitors, which may offer similar or better performance, cost, and environmental benefits. This means they have to prove their superiority and uniqueness, and also adapt to the changing needs and preferences of the customers and the society. For example, City Labs’ nuclear batteries may lose their edge in the military and aerospace markets, as more renewable and sustainable alternatives become available.
Conclusion
Nuclear batteries are a promising technology that could have many applications in the future, especially for devices that require long-term and reliable power sources. However, they are not a magic solution to the world’s energy problems, and they still face many challenges and uncertainties that need to be addressed and resolved. Therefore, more research and development, as well as more collaboration and communication, are needed to advance and improve the technology, and to make it more accessible and acceptable to the public.
What do you think of nuclear batteries? Do you think they are a good idea or a bad idea? Would you use them or avoid them? Share your opinions and questions in the comments section below. Thank you for reading.
