The battery promises to power for 50 years without charging

A Chinese startup has unveiled a new battery that it claims is able to produce electricity for 50 years without the need for charging or maintenance.

Beijing-based Betavolt said its nuclear battery is the first in the world to miniaturize atomic energy by compressing 63 nuclear isotopes into a unit the size of a coin.

Where it can be used

The company says the next-generation battery has already entered the beta testing phase and will be mass-produced for commercial applications such as phones and drones.

“Betavolt atomic energy batteries can meet long-range power supply needs in multiple scenarios, including aerospace, artificial intelligence equipment, medical equipment, microprocessors, advanced sensors, small drones and small robots,” he adds.

“This new energy innovation will help China gain a leading advantage in the new round of AI technology revolution.”

A friend of the environment

Betavolt says its first nuclear battery can produce 100 microwatts and 3 volts with dimensions of 15x15x5mm, but it plans to produce a 1-watt battery by 2025.

The company notes that “the battery developed by Betavolt is completely safe, does not contain external radiation and is suitable for use in medical devices.”

He adds: “It is environmentally friendly, and after a period of decay, the 63 isotopes are converted into a stable isotope of copper, which is not radioactive and does not pose a danger or pollution to the environment.”

Unlike traditional chemical batteries, they are non-flammable and resistant to physical damage. In fact, its power output remains unaffected by extreme temperatures (-60°C to 120°C) or changes in operating conditions.

Forget charging your cell phone

Historically, atomic power batteries have been used mainly in aerospace, due to their size and cost. It will now be able to power devices such as smartphones indefinitely, without the need for recharging. Of course, this last feature, with the rate at which we change cell phones and the ease of charging them, may not be its strong point.