A Chinese company says it is the first to have created a miniature nuclear battery without necessary recharging, which inserted into a smartphone could offer it infinite or almost infinite autonomy, without being radioactive.
Smartphones of the future may never need recharging, all thanks to revolutionary nuclear battery technology. Well, it’s obviously not for now, but a Chinese company, Betavolt Technology, is very seriously exploring this possibility by developing miniature nuclear batteries for various devices, taking inspiration from pacemakers and long-lasting space components. . You’ll see, it’s quite fascinating.
The miniaturization of nuclear power in your smartphones
Based in Beijing, Betavolt Technology is starting the year by reporting a notable advance in the miniaturization of atomic energy batteries. Its BV100 model, with a tiny size of 15 x 15 x 5 mm, is capable of generating 100 microwatts of electricity. The start-up uses the disintegration of the nickel 63 isotope to offer a module smaller than a coin.
While nuclear technology once posed risks due to radioactive materials like plutonium, Betavolt is taking a safer approach. By using a diamond semiconductor and a decaying nickel isotope, the company attests to the absence of radiation or toxic chemicals.
The battery presents no risk of ignition or explosion, even in extreme conditions of -60°C to 120°C. And above all, it is not affected by a loss of performance, and its production costs remain low.
A battery with half a century of autonomy, but marketing not planned for right away
Betavolt plans to produce nuclear batteries for smartphones that can be charged indefinitely (a duration of 50 years is mentioned), purely and simply eliminating the requirement for frequent mobile charging. These small batteries can be put together in series to increase power.
The nuclear battery prototype is ready to move into mass production after successfully passing the pilot stage. Betavolt now aims to create small batteries with a power of one watt by 2025. These nuclear batteries could become essential in multiple fields and sectors such as aerospace, AI equipment, medical devices, drones , sensors, and micro-robots.
As for marketing to the general public, although the prototype is ready, Betavolt does not yet have a precise timetable to send us. This advance, however, promises to redefine the standards of power supply.
Source : Independent
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