How a Nuclear-Powered Diamond Battery Could Last Centuries
The everyday lithium-ion battery could last up to 500 charge cycles, or around 5 years.
Billions of these batteries are produced each year, but only 5% are recycled.
Improper disposal of batteries can leak toxic chemicals into soil and water, accumulate dangerous chemicals in the food chain and even cause damage to human health.
Scientists from the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the University of Bristol have produced the world's first carbon-14 diamond battery that could tackle these problems.
It has the potential to produce power for thousands of years.
“Diamond batteries offer a safe, sustainable way to provide continuous microwatt levels of power,” says Sarah Clark, Director of Tritium Fuel Cycle at UKAEA.
“They are an emerging technology that use a manufactured diamond to safely encase small amounts of carbon-14.”
How does the diamond battery work?
By using the radioactive decay of carbon-14, with a half-life of 5,700 years, the diamond battery can generate low levels of power.
It functions similarly to solar panels, which convert light into electricity. Instead of using light particles, the battery captures fast-moving electrons from within the diamond structure.
The prototype batteries measure 10 mm x 10 mm with a thickness of up to 0.5mm – thinner than the tip of a sewing needle.
Carbon-14 is generated in graphite blocks, of which the UK holds nearly 95,000 tonnes.
Graphite blocks are used in nuclear reactors to house the uranium fuel used and support the nuclear fission process.
By extracting carbon-14 from these blocks, their radioactivity decreases which reduces the cost of storing this nuclear waste safely.
The radioactive carbon-14 is safely encased inside a diamond, preventing short-range radiation from escaping.
Dr Neil Fox from the University of Bristol School of Chemistry, explains: “Carbon-14 was chosen as a source material because it emits a short-range radiation, which is quickly absorbed by any solid material.
“This would make it dangerous to ingest or touch with your naked skin, but safely held within diamond, no short-range radiation can escape. In fact, diamond is the hardest substance known to man, there is literally nothing we could use that could offer more protection.”
What can diamond batteries be used for?
Despite their low power, the long life of these diamond batteries could revolutionise the powering of devices over long timescales, solve some of the problems of nuclear waste and support clean electricity generation.
“If this type of battery becomes mainstream it can really disrupt the battery sector and make it much more sustainable,” says Elin Bergman, Circular Impact Officer at Cradlenet and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Nordic Circular Hotspot.
“Carbon to make batteries is abundant and if they truly are sustainable and create no waste then it really sounds amazing.”
Bio-compatible diamond batteries could be used in medical devices like ocular implants, hearing aids and pacemakers.
The batteries’ long life would minimise the need for replacements and distress to patients.
Professor Tom Scott, Professor in Materials at the University of Bristol, said: “Our micropower technology can support a whole range of important applications from space technologies and security devices through to medical implants.
“We’re excited to be able to explore all of these possibilities, working with partners in industry and research, over the next few years.”
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