Scientists at the UK Atomic Energy Authority recently announced a breakthrough with the world’s first ever diamond battery. Made by encasing radioactive carbon-14 inside a diamond, the technology would be a game changer, given how long it could last.
The scientists state that, thanks to the half-life of carbon-14 of 5,700 years, the diamond battery has an incredibly long life of thousands of years. Specifically, any device powered by it could run for more than 10,000 years before the charge even dips below the 50% battery capacity.
💎Scientists and engineers from the UK Atomic Energy Authority (@UKAEAofficial) and the University of Bristol (@BristolUni) have successfully created the world’s first carbon-14 diamond battery.
This new type of battery has the potential to power devices for thousands of years,… pic.twitter.com/Kquxpn1PHA
— UK Atomic Energy Authority (@UKAEAofficial) December 4, 2024
For context, Carbon-14 is the same isotope that many archaeologists and researchers use for carbon dating finds from the past. Again, due to its highly radioactive nature, the scientists had to encase the isotope in small amounts within a diamond for safety, using a specialised plasma rig and diamond crystals obtained from nuclear facilities.
“Diamond batteries offer a safe, sustainable way to provide continuous microwatt levels of power. They are an emerging technology that use a manufactured diamond to safely encase small amounts of carbon-14,” Sarah Clark, Director of Tritium Fuel Cycle at UKAEA, said.
As for what could be powered by this diamond battery, proposed applications include vehicles, rovers specifically, tracking tags and transmitters in spacecrafts or maritime vessels. “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.”
(Source: UK AEA)
