Nuclear Batteries That Last For Decades

As nuclear energy gains public acceptance, compact nuclear batteries could bring “safe nuclear energy into devices the size of a finger.

Imagine never needing to charge your phone or worrying about your electric car running out of power. Researchers are exploring radiocarbon as a safe and long-lasting alternative to lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, potentially revolutionizing energy storage.

At the American Chemical Society’s spring meeting (March 23–27), Professor Su-il In from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology unveiled his team’s breakthrough in nuclear battery technology. Unlike traditional Li-ion batteries, which degrade with repeated charging, nuclear batteries could last for decades—possibly even millennia—without needing a recharge.

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Why Nuclear Batteries?

Li-ion batteries power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles, but they have significant drawbacks. Frequent charging is inconvenient, and lithium mining is environmentally damaging. Additionally, as technology advances, the demand for longer-lasting batteries continues to grow.

However, improving Li-ion batteries further may not be feasible. “The performance of Li-ion batteries is almost saturated,” says In. Instead, his team is turning to betavoltaic nuclear batteries, which generate power from beta particles emitted by radioactive materials.

The researchers developed a prototype betavoltaic battery using carbon-14, a radioactive isotope of carbon. Unlike other radioactive elements, carbon-14 emits only beta rays, which can be safely shielded with thin materials like aluminum. A byproduct of nuclear power plants, radiocarbon is also abundant and cost-effective.

To enhance energy conversion efficiency, the team used a titanium dioxide-based semiconductor—commonly found in solar cells—sensitized with a ruthenium-based dye. When beta rays strike the dye, they trigger an “electron avalanche,” generating electricity. By incorporating radiocarbon into both the anode and cathode, the researchers significantly improved efficiency, increasing it from 0.48% to 2.86%.

While current prototypes generate less power than Li-ion batteries, optimizing the battery’s structure and absorbers could boost performance. Such batteries could power pacemakers for a lifetime, eliminating the need for surgical replacements.