China Developed a Nuclear Battery that works for 50 years without recharging and is suitable for Mobile Phones

Beijing startup Betavolt has unveiled a next-generation battery that can generate energy for 50 years without the need for recharging. The company said its development, called the BB100, is the world's first "nuclear battery." The size of the product is slightly smaller than a coin (15x15x5 mm), it contains isotope-63 and diamond semiconductors. Nuclear batteries are environmentally friendly. After isotope-63 decays, it turns into a stable non-radioactive isotope of copper, which does not pose a threat to the environment. Betavolt says it has already begun pilot testing of the nuclear battery and promises to put it into mass production for commercial use.

The company said in a press release that the new battery can meet the long-term power needs of aerospace products, medical equipment microprocessors, advanced sensors, small drones and robots. In addition, Betavolt hopes that such innovation will help China gain an advantage in the artificial intelligence technological revolution. The battery works by converting energy released from the decay of isotopes into electricity through a process that was first explored in the 20th century. Scientists from the USSR and the USA were able to develop technology for use in space/underwater vehicles and stations, but fusion batteries were an expensive and bulky invention. The push to miniaturize and commercialize nuclear batteries has been led by China, but American and European research institutions are also working on their own designs.

The Betavolt nuclear battery has a power of 100 mW and a voltage of 3 V, but the company plans to release a 1 W battery by 2025, as well as a modular version of it. Its compact size allows it to be used in mobile phones that never need to be charged, and drones that can fly forever. The product features a multi-layer design, will not catch fire or explode, and has no external radiation, making it suitable for use in medical devices such as pacemakers. This battery can operate even at extreme temperatures - from -60 °C to 120 °C.