Scientists in UK Atomic Energy Authority and University of Bristol have created the world’s first battery which can last thousands of years before running out of energy.
They used Carbon 14 – the radioactive isotope of Carbon – with a half-life of 5,700 years.
A small amount of Carbon14 is encased in manufactured diamond to form a battery of 10mm x 10mm x 0.5mm.
Diamond is the hardest element in the world and it adequately stops radiation from the Carbon14 from escaping.
The encasement is adequate as Carbon 14 has short-range radiation.
Just as in a solar panel where photons from sunlight excite the electrons and release them as electricity, the Carbon14 excites the electrons in the diamond to generate low electric voltage.
The only problem is that the electric power generated is small, in microwatts.
However, the great advantage is that it can safely power low-energy-consuming devices in difficult-to-reach places like in space and medical appliances like pacemakers and ocular implants.
There is no need to replace the battery for the entire life of such devices.
The diamond encasement ensures that there is no leakage and the Carbon14 runs the battery for thousands of years.
The breakthrough was announced in November, 2024.
Further improvement is possible.
