Betavolt Developed a Nuclear Battery Has a 50-Year Lifespan

Electrical Technology

A Chinese Startup Unveiled a Nuclear battery (BV100) that Operates without Charging for 50 Years

The company Betavolt in Beijing has announced the development of a battery capable of operating for 50 years without charging. According to the company, its nuclear BV100 battery is the world’s first to offer nuclear energy in a highly compact form, combining 63-Nickel isotopes with diamond semiconductors in a module smaller than a coin. This tiny radioactive battery could charge your phone for 50 years without recharging and maintenance.

Betavolt, a Chinese startup, recently unveiled this groundbreaking battery, claiming that it can generate electricity for up to fifty years without requiring charging or maintenance. The Beijing-based company asserts that its nuclear battery is the first of its kind, significantly minimizing the size of nuclear energy, and integrating 63 isotopes in a module smaller than a coin.

The next-generation battery is currently in the testing phase, with plans for scaling up production to be used in commercial devices like phones and drones. Betavolt states that its nuclear energy batteries can meet the power requirements of various devices, including aerospace equipment, artificial intelligence tools, medical devices, microprocessors, modern sensors, small drones, and micro-robots.

According to the company’s claim, the introduction of this innovative energy model will give China a competitive advantage in the new era of the technological revolution in artificial intelligence.

The energy produced by the aforementioned battery, derived from isotopes, is converted into electricity. Although this process was first discovered in the 20th century and has been successfully used by Soviet Union and American scientists in space vehicles, underwater systems, and remote scientific stations, thermoelectric nuclear batteries were both expensive and bulky.

China initiated efforts to reduce the size of nuclear batteries and utilize them for commercial purposes as part of its 14th Five-Year Plan, spanning from 2021 to 2025, with the aim of strengthening the country’s economy. Research institutions in the United States and Europe are also actively working on developing similar batteries.

Betavolt claims that its initial nuclear battery can provide 100 micro-watts and three volts, with dimensions of 15×15×5 cubic millimeters. However, the company aims to develop a battery capable of producing one watt of electricity by 2025.

The compact size of nuclear batteries suggests that they can be used in series to generate additional electricity. According to the company’s vision, mobile phones using these batteries may never need to be charged, while drones could achieve sustained flight.

Betavolt asserts that the robust design of their battery casing ensures it does not catch fire or explode upon sudden impact. Additionally, the battery can operate in temperatures ranging from 60° to 120° C.

The company guarantees that “Betavolt’s prepared nuclear energy battery is entirely safe. No leakage of radioactive material even if it punctures, making it suitable for use in medical devices, pacemakers, artificial hearts, and hearing aids.”

“Nuclear energy batteries are environmentally friendly. After the complete decay period of 63 isotopes, stable isotopes of copper are formed, which are non-radioactive and pose no threat or pollution to the environment.

Among the various applications of this groundbreaking invention, smartphone lovers will never have to charge their batteries again with this miniature and innovative battery, boasting a lifespan of 50 years.