As smartphone chipsets continue to advance in power, battery technology has seen minimal groundbreaking improvements in the past few decades. However, a shift may be on the horizon, courtesy of nuclear batteries. Betavolt Technology, a China-based company, is in the process of developing a radionuclide battery with a lifespan of 50 years, potentially eliminating the need to recharge smartphones. Explore the details of nuclear batteries and their potential impact.
Smartphones Could Soon Integrate Nuclear Batteries
Betavolt Technology is reportedly in the process of creating nuclear batteries designed to fit into smartphones with a potential lifespan of 50 years, as per WinFuture. The technology being utilized is akin to that used in pacemakers, small battery-powered devices regulating heart function, and in space travel to power components distant from the sun.
Previous attempts at developing nuclear batteries for smartphones faced challenges, with issues related to size and power output. The use of radioactive materials like plutonium also posed safety concerns. Betavolt Technology is taking a different approach this time, working on a radionuclide battery incorporating a layer of artificial diamond serving as a semiconductor. Additionally, the nickel isotope (nickel-63) undergoes decay, generating energy.
Betavolt Technology asserts that its nuclear batteries are atomic energy batteries, boasting 10 times the energy density of contemporary lithium batteries. These nuclear batteries have the capacity to store 3,300 megawatt-hours in just 1 gram of battery material, and the concept of battery degradation is non-existent due to the absence of battery cycles.
Furthermore, the stability of power generation by these nuclear batteries remains unaffected by harsh environments and varying loads.
The company has already developed a functional model, the BB100, measuring 15 x 15 x 5 mm and providing 100 microwatts of electricity. Betavolt Technology aims to further advance the technology within the next two years, aiming to achieve up to one watt of power. Notably, the technology ensures no radiation escapes, and the nickel isotope breaks down to copper, eliminating the production of toxic chemicals.
While this marks a promising advancement in battery technology, its viability for widespread use in smartphones remains to be seen. What are your thoughts on nuclear batteries? Let us know in the comment section below.
0 Comments