Giorgia Burzachechi From the United Kingdom comes the first carbon-14 diamond battery, an innovative technology that uses radioactive decay to generate energy for thousands of years.
@gov.uk
Batteries will play a crucial role in the energy transition and the electrification of consumption. They are one of the key technologies that will make the energy system more reliable. This is why scientists all over the world are working on increasingly sophisticated solutions for energy storage, such as liquid batteries, devices powered by body heat, or biodegradable ones made from crab shells.
Now, the UKAEA and University of Bristol researchers have fabricated for the first time a diamond containing carbon-14, and for the first time created a nuclear diamond battery containing this isotope. With this, the new technology holds promise to become an ultra-long-lasting energy source particularly in places where battery replacement could be either difficult or undesirable.
Diamond battery applications
This invention uses the radioactive isotope carbon-14, which is well known due to its use in radiocarbon dating, a scientific method of determining the age of organic materials in archaeology and paleontology. Scientists have created an advanced power source by incorporating carbon-14 into synthetic diamonds.
Diamond batteries are biocompatible, meaning they are safe for biological systems, making them ideal for use in ocular implants, hearing aids, and pacemakers. These applications could significantly minimize the need for replacements, reducing inconvenience for patients.
Beyond medical uses, diamond batteries are fitting for both space and terrestrial applications where the replacement of traditional batteries is highly impracticable. They could power active radio-frequency tags or data transmission instruments that identify and track devices on Earth or in space, such as spacecraft. These batteries could last decades, reducing costs by lowering the cost and extending the operational lifespan.
How the diamond battery works
The carbon-14 diamond battery works by converting the radioactive decay of carbon-14, with a half-life of 5,700 years, into energy. The mechanism is similar to how solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. Rather than capturing photons, however, the diamond battery captures high-speed electrons emitted during radioactive decay within its diamond structure and converts them into electrical power.
Source: Gov.uk
