Scientists Claim World’s First Carbon-14 Diamond Battery Could Endure for Thousands of Years

December 12, 2024 TruthUSA

According to the researchers, it takes over 5,000 years for the battery to achieve 50 percent of its power.

Scientists and engineers have created a battery that they believe could potentially power devices for millennia.

Developed by a team from the University of Bristol and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the battery utilizes the decay of carbon-14, a radioactive isotope commonly known for its application in dating organic materials.

“We had a device constructed from diamond, incorporating the radioisotope within that structure,” stated Neil Fox, a materials science professor at the University of Bristol, in a video released on December 4 by UKAEA. “This is a world first.”

How it Works

Radioactive materials like carbon-14 decay over time, releasing energy as their unstable atoms convert into more stable elements. The diamond battery harnesses this emitted energy to generate low levels of constant power, similar to how solar panels transform sunlight into electricity.

Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5,730 years, meaning that after this period, half of its original material remains. Therefore, the battery requires over five millennia to reach 50 percent of its power.

Encased within a synthetic diamond outer layer, the carbon-14 emits electrons as it decays into stable carbon-12. The diamond functions as a semiconductor, effectively converting these electrons into electricity while preventing harmful radiation from escaping.

“This device has no moving parts, generates no emissions, and requires no maintenance; it produces electricity directly,” explained Tom Scott, a materials science professor at the University of Bristol.

Potential Applications

A single diamond battery that contains 1 gram of carbon-14 can generate around 15 joules of energy daily, or 173 microwatts—significantly less than a typical AA battery’s capacity of about 4 watt-hours. Despite this lower power output, its remarkable longevity makes it well-suited for specialized applications that prioritize durability.

For instance, researchers are optimistic about its potential in medical devices such as pacemakers, hearing aids, and ocular implants, which would reduce the necessity for replacements. Typically, the batteries in pacemakers require changing every five to ten years through surgery.

“We can apply this technology in small satellites,” noted Fatimah Sanni, an engineer at UKAEA, in the video. “It is suitable for use in computer chips, remote controls, and wristwatches.”

The durability of the diamond also renders the battery ideal for extreme conditions, such as deep-sea exploration or long-duration space missions. Researchers aspire for it to power devices like active radio frequency tags for remote monitoring, significantly prolonging the operational lifespan of spacecraft and other instruments deployed in challenging environments.

A Solution to Nuclear Waste

Beyond its groundbreaking energy applications, the diamond battery may offer a novel approach to reusing nuclear waste.

Carbon-14 is generated in the graphite blocks of certain nuclear fission reactors. The UK alone has nearly 95,000 metric tonnes of this graphite waste.

“By encasing radioactive materials within diamonds, we transform a long-standing nuclear waste issue into a nuclear-powered battery that provides a sustainable source of clean energy,” Scott remarked.

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