Scientists at the University of Bristol and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) have developed world’s first nuclear-powered diamond battery which offers a safe, sustainable way to provide continuous microwatt levels of power, that could change the future of energy storage forever. Diamond battery is aimed at applications where a low discharge rate over a long period of time is required, such as space exploration, medical devices, seabed communication. This carbon-14 battery, powered by radioactive decay, can generate electricity for up to 5, 700 years. By utilizing nuclear waste, it offers an eco-friendly solution to energy generation, transforming hazardous by-products into a valuable power source. 

Unlike conventional batteries that rely on chemical reactions, this nuclear battery harnesses radioactive decay to produce electricity, using carbon-14, a radioactive isotope extracted from graphite blocks discarded by nuclear reactor. This carbon-14 is then encased in a diamond, which acts both a semiconductor and a radiation shield.

Carbon-14 emits beta radiation, which interacts with the diamond structure, generating a steady flow of electricity, as the diamond shell traps the radiation, preventing harmful emissions while allowing energy conversion. As radioactive decay is a continuous process, the battery never needs recharging and can function for several thousands of years.