A revolutionary radioactive battery has been created by China, allowing smartphones to operate continuously for an impressive 50 years.

According to Chinese startup Betavolt, unlike some current batteries that can be unsafe when damaged or exposed to high temperatures, their battery will not catch fire or explode even in response to punctures or gunshots. A recent Independent article states that Betavolt, based in Beijing, has successfully miniaturized atomic energy by fitting 63 nuclear isotopes into a module smaller than a coin.

Betavolt.tech asserts that they have created a revolutionary battery that can provide endless power for cell phones and eternally operating drones.

The battery uses a technique first explored in the 20th century, converting the energy released by decaying isotopes into electricity. Betavolt calls it the next-generation battery and has already begun pilot testing. They plan to eventually mass-produce the battery for commercial use, such as in phones and drones. According to the startup, this battery has the potential to meet the long-term power needs of various scenarios, including aerospace, AI equipment, medical equipment, microprocessors, advanced sensors, small drones, and micro-robots.

Betavolt believes that this new energy innovation will give China a leading edge in the new round of AI technological revolution. Their first battery can deliver 100 microwatts of power and a voltage of 3V in a compact size of 15x15x5 cubic millimeters. By 2025, they aim to produce a battery with 1 watt of power.

The small size of these batteries makes them ideal for use in series, providing more power. Betavolt envisions a future where phones never need to be charged, and drones can fly indefinitely. The battery's layered design also ensures safety, as it can withstand sudden forces without catching fire or exploding. Additionally, it can operate in extreme temperatures, ranging from -60 degrees Celsius to 120 degrees Celsius.

The process behind the battery is using nickel-63, a radioactive element, as the energy source, and diamond semiconductors as energy converters. The team at Betavolt has successfully developed a single-crystal structure for the diamond semiconductor, ensuring better energy conversion efficiency. They have also improved the stability of the battery, making it a reliable power source for various applications.

The team has successfully created a 10-micron-thick single-crystal diamond semiconductor and incorporated a 2-micron-thick nickel-63 sheet between two diamond semiconductor converters. This allows for the conversion of decay energy from a radioactive source into an electrical current. Betavolt, a company in this field, touts the benefits of their atomic energy batteries, such as their lightweight nature, long lifespan, and high energy density. These batteries can operate in extreme temperatures ranging from -60 to 120 degrees Celsius. With its modular design, multiple atomic batteries can be connected to generate higher energy output, making them suitable for use in various applications, including automotive technology and AI systems. However, there are concerns about radiation associated with nuclear energy, which Betavolt addresses by ensuring that their batteries have no external radiation and are safe for use in medical devices like pacemakers and cochlear implants. The company also claims that its batteries are environmentally friendly, as the nickel-63 isotope used in the battery decays into a stable and non-radioactive copper isotope after the decay period. The BV100 battery produced by Betavolt is also said to be safer than traditional batteries, as it will not catch fire or explode when punctured or exposed to high temperatures. This technology of tiny-sized nuclear batteries, once only used in spacecraft and remote scientific stations, is now being pursued for commercialization under China's 14th Five-Year Plan. Researchers in the US and Europe are also working on similar developments, as stated in the Independent article.