Betavolt, a Chinese company, has made a groundbreaking announcement in the field of energy storage. The company has developed an atomic energy battery with a touted lifespan of up to 230 years, a significant leap from its initial 50-year claim. This new battery, called the BV100, utilizes a combination of nickel-63 isotope and diamond semiconductor material.
While the BV100 is currently in the pilot stage, with mass production yet to begin, it offers a relatively low power output of 100 microwatts at 3 volts. However, Betavolt assures consumers that multiple BV100 batteries can be used in series or parallel to meet the power requirements of various devices. In addition, the company plans to release a 1-watt version of the battery by 2025.
What sets the BV100 apart from other similar technologies is its safety features. Betavolt asserts that its battery is safe for consumers and will not leak radiation, even when subjected to gunshots or punctures. Unlike previous nuclear batteries that were large, dangerous, and expensive, the BV100 is compact and reliable.
The improved safety of the BV100 is a result of Betavolt’s choice of materials. The battery utilizes a nickel-63 isotope as its energy source, which decays into a stable isotope of copper. Combined with the diamond semiconductor material, this allows the BV100 to operate in extreme temperatures ranging from -60 to 120 degrees Celsius.
To construct the BV100, Betavolt places a 2-micron-thick nickel-63 sheet between two diamond semiconductor converters. This innovative design relies on Betavolt’s unique single-crystal diamond semiconductor, which is only 10 microns thick.
While the current BV100 may not offer a high peak power output, Betavolt has already teased its plans for future development. The company is exploring isotopes such as strontium-90, promethium-147, and deuterium to create atomic energy batteries with even greater power levels and longer service lives.
Betavolt’s atomic energy battery has the potential to revolutionize various industries, including aerospace, AI devices, medical equipment, drones, and robots. With its long lifespan and improved safety features, this technology may pave the way for a future where devices never need to be charged again.
The source of the article is from the blog kewauneecomet.com