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Beita Pharmatech and Northwest Normal University have developed a silicon carbide-coated carbon-14 nuclear battery, which offers unprecedented longevity and application potential. Chinese researchers have developed a carbon-14 (C-14) nuclear battery encapsulated in silicon carbide semiconductor material, marking a major breakthrough in nuclear battery technology. Developed by Jiangsu-based Beita Pharmatech in collaboration with Northwest Normal University, the prototype, dubbed Candle Dragon One, promises a theoretical lifespan of thousands of years. The engineering sample has been undergoing continuous testing for four months at Beita Pharmatechs isotope laboratory, successfully completing 35,000 LED light pulses. Researchers have also integrated the battery with energy storage devices to power Bluetooth RF chips, successfully transmitting and receiving signals. High energy density and radiation-free design The battery utilizes a composite structure that combines radioactive C-14 isotopes with silicon carbide semiconductors. Enclosing the C-14 source within a silicon carbide casing ensures complete absorption of the emitted radiation, eliminating leakage risks and ensuring safe operation. Tests conducted by the Hefei Institute of Physical Sciences, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, indicate an energy conversion efficiency of over 8% and an energy density of 2.2 Wh/g, roughly ten times higher than that of conventional lithium-ion batteries. The battery offers a short-circuit current of 282 nA, an open-circuit voltage of 2.1 V, and a maximum output power of 433 nW. Given C-14s 5,700-year half-life, the battery theoretically offers a continuous power supply for millennia. Wide applications in extreme environments According to Cai Dinglong, Vice President and Director of R&D at Beita Pharmatech, the nuclear battery operates in an extreme temperature range of -100°C to 200°C, with a performance degradation rate of less than 5% over a 50-year design life. This technology has significant potential in multiple sectors: Medical implants : Provide a perpetual power source for brain-computer interfaces, pacemakers, and other implantable devices. Internet of Things and Intelligent Systems : Support ultra-large-scale sensor networks and distributed intelligent systems. Hostile environments : enable energy solutions for underwater exploration, polar expeditions, and lunar and Martian missions. Space exploration : maintain long-term power for maintenance-free interstellar probes. “Beta-voltaic nuclear battery technology represents the next generation of micropower solutions, driving transformation in advanced manufacturing, national security, and aerospace applications,” said Dr. Li Gang, President of Beita Pharmatech. Challenges and future development Despite its longevity, the current microwatt output limits the battery to small-scale applications. Researchers acknowledge that further improvements in power density and efficiency will be necessary to unlock its full commercial potential. Nuclear batteries, also known as radioisotope batteries, convert the decay energy of radioactive isotopes into electrical energy through various mechanisms. With the technology in its early stages, scientists and engineers from the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the University of Bristol reported in December 2024 that they had successfully created the worlds first carbon-14 diamond battery . Although currently limited to specific applications, advances in this technology could reshape the future of energy storage. |
