Betavolt's 50-Year Atomic Battery: A New Era for Miniature Power

Betavolt, a Chinese company, has introduced a miniature atomic battery, the BV100, that could transform power sources for small devices. This innovative battery aims to provide continuous power for up to 50 years without needing charging or maintenance. About the size of a small coin, the battery uses the energy from the decay of the nickel-63 isotope. This decay energy is converted into electricity using semiconductor converters. Betavolt's scientists have created a unique 10-micron thick single-crystal diamond semiconductor, positioning a 2-micron thick nickel-63 sheet between two of these converters to transform the decay energy into an electrical current. Betavolt claims its atomic battery is safe, emitting no external radiation, making it suitable for medical uses like pacemakers and artificial hearts. Its modular design allows for creating batteries of different sizes and capacities by combining multiple units. This development represents a significant advancement in energy storage, potentially influencing industries that need long-lasting, low-maintenance power.