In this new era of breakthrough innovations in nuclear energy, Betavolt Tech, a Chinese startup, has released its nuclear battery (atomic energy battery) for civilian use, claiming the potential for a 50-year battery life.
According to Betavolt Tech, this atomic energy battery, the size of a Chinese coin, can generate electricity seamlessly for 50 years with just a single charge.
Unique features
This product combines nickel -63 nuclear isotope decay technology and China’s first diamond semiconductor (4th generation semiconductor) module to successfully realize the miniaturization of atomic energy batteries, modularization and low cost, starting the process of civilian use.
Mr. Zhang Wei, Chairman and CEO of Betavolt, said that the first product the company will launch is BV100, which is the world’s first nuclear battery to be mass-produced. The power is 100 microwatts, the voltage is 3V, and the volume is 15 X 15 X 5 Cubic millimeters. Nuclear batteries generate electricity every minute, 8.64 joules per day, and 3153 joules per year. Multiple such batteries can be used in series and parallel.
The company plans to launch a 1-watt battery in 2025. If policies permit, atomic energy batteries can allow a mobile phone to never be charged, added Mr. Wei.
Betavolt atomic energy batteries can generate electricity stably and autonomously for 50 years without the need for charging or maintenance. They have entered the pilot stage and will be put into mass production on the market.
The atomic energy battery is designed to meet the needs of long-lasting power supply in multiple scenarios such as aerospace, AI equipment, medical equipment, MEMS systems, advanced sensors, small drones and micro robots. This new energy innovation will help China gain a leading edge in the new round of AI technological revolution.
Safe for use
According to reports, the atomic energy battery is a physical battery, not an electrochemical battery. Its energy density is more than 10 times that of ternary lithium batteries. It can store 3,300 megawatt hours in a 1- gram battery. It will not catch fire or explode in response to acupuncture and gunshots.
The power generation of atomic energy batteries is stable and will not change due to harsh environments and loads. It can work normally within the range of 120 degrees above zero and -60 degrees below zero, and has no self-discharge.
Betavolt claims that the atomic energy battery is absolutely safe, has no external radiation, and is suitable for use in medical devices such as pacemakers, artificial hearts and cochlear implants in the human body.
Eco-friendly
Atomic Batteries are environmentally friendly. After the decay period, the nickel -63 isotope as the radioactive source becomes a stable isotope of copper, which is non-radioactive and does not pose any threat or pollution to the environment. Therefore, unlike existing chemical batteries, nuclear batteries do not require expensive recycling processes.
Meanwhile, there is speculation from some quarters suggesting that this announcement could be a strategic public relations maneuver. The aim, they argue, might be to secure substantial investment from the market on a seemingly modest scale, only to retract commitments at a later stage potentially.
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