Scientists in United States, and other nations, power their deep space craft by harvesting energy from decaying radio isotopes. However, their nuclear battery technology is too expensive and bulky for consumer devices. A company in China is determined to miniaturize and commercialize the idea. According to The Independent they may have a consumer runner, as we explore here.
How Advanced Is Their Nuclear Battery Program
The Beijing startup has produced a prototype that squeezes 63 nuclear isotopes into a module smaller than a coin. They claim this could generate electricity for half a century, without maintaining or recharging it. Moreover, their innovation has entered pilot testing, and they have their eyes on drones, smartphones and other applications too.
“Our atomic energy batteries can meet the needs of long-lasting power supply,” their press release believes. And it goes on to list, “Multiple scenarios, such as aerospace, AI equipment, medical equipment, microprocessors, advanced sensors, small drones and micro-robots.”
Betavolt’s nuclear battery technology follows the established principle of converting energy from decaying isotopes into electricity. However, this idea has been quite dormant until recently, when it came into focus in China’s 14th Five-Year Plan. Although scientists in United States and Europe are actively investigating the idea too.
What Else Do We Know About the Battery
The Independent reports the following parameters for Betavolt’s nuclear battery:
- Delivers 100 micro-watts of power at a voltage of 3 volts.
- Measures a relatively small 15 x 15 x 5 cubic millimeters.
- A prototype battery with 1 watt of power is planned by 2025.
These parameters could make the device – when joined in series – a good companion for mobile phones and drones that could keep ‘going forever’. The Independent believes the layered design means ‘it could never catch fire, or explode in response to a sudden force’.
This new innovative battery design apparently functions smoothly at temperatures ranging from -76 F to +248 F. Betavolt has said, “Atomic energy batteries are environmentally friendly.
“After the decay period, the 63 isotopes turn into a stable isotope of copper, which is non-radioactive and does not pose any threat, or pollution to the environment.”
More Information
Nuclear Batteries for Space Exploration
