Researchers from the University of Bristol and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) have developed the world’s first carbon-14 diamond battery, capable of powering devices for thousands of years.

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About Carbon-14 Diamond Battery

• Battery Mechanism: The battery operates by utilizing the radioactive decay of carbon-14, an unstable isotope of carbon with a half-life of 5,700 years, ensuring a long operational lifespan.
  • It functions similarly to solar panels, but instead of capturing light particles, it harnesses fast-moving electrons within a diamond structure to generate energy.
• Encased in a diamond structure, the battery safely absorbs short-range radiation and generates low levels of electricity without leakage.

Applications

• Electrical Appliances: The battery produces a low-power output, making it unsuitable for high-power consumer electronics like laptops and smartphones.
• Space: It has potential applications in powering active radio frequency tags used for tracking spacecraft or payloads on Earth and in space.
  • The battery is ideal for space missions due to its long-lasting power, which can support satellites for extended duration.
• Medical Devices: It is suitable for powering medical devices such as pacemakers, hearing aids, and ocular devices.
• Nuclear waste management: By extracting carbon-14 from nuclear waste, it helps manage radioactive material, reducing overall radioactivity and storage costs.

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Challenges to Market Introduction

• High Cost: The high cost associated with plasma deposition technology poses a barrier to large-scale production.
• Regulatory compliance: Safely handling radioactive isotopes requires strict regulatory compliance and specialized processes.
• Scalability of production: The scalability of production remains a challenge for widespread adoption and commercial viability.

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