They managed to create a battery that lasts 5,700 years without the need to be recharged. This development uses a type of carbon-14 Integrated into a diamond structure to generate a constant electricity net during the millennia.
Neil FoxEnergy material teacher University of Bristolwas part of the team that advanced this technology.
He and his colleagues at the University of Bristol and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (Ukaea) Look for ways to reuse radioactive materials for use in long -term food sources.
Understand the carbon-14 batteries
Carbon-14 A half-life of about 5,700 years, which means that its radioactive disintegration continues at reduced levels for an extremely long period.
Traditional batteries lose the accusation in days or years, but a diamond -based supply cell has the ability to deliver Energy on a microwatt scale for centuries.
Researchers take the carbon-4 of the remaining graphite reactor, an approach that helps reduce nuclear waste. The diamond shell maintains radioactivity inside, guaranteeing a minimum of emissions outside the device.
Where the merger search arrives
Merger was an objective for UkaeaWith intense work on controlling reactions within a Tokamak. This machine uses strong magnets to contain overheated plasma deuterium And tritiumtwo forms of hydrogen.
The expertise developed in the manipulation of specialized reactors and materials has contributed to creating safe processes to extract and deposit carbon-14.
This same knowledge has enabled the construction of a plasma deposit platform to grow diamond layers. This collaboration has shown how merger information can trigger innovation in related fields.
Build a carbon-4 battery
The diamond used in the battery is not natural. He grew up synthetically through a process called Improved chemical steam deposit plasmaWhere carbon 14 atoms are deposited in a thin film to form a diamond structure.
Ukaea culham campus engineers built a custom plasma deposit Rigne to create these diamond layers with precision.
This platform allowed the controlled growth of the diamond infused with carbon-14, safely locking the radioactive material in place while maximizing energy capture.
How the battery generates energy
“Diamond batteries offer a safe and durable way to provide continuous microwave power levels Sarah ClarkDirector of the Tritium fuel cycle in Ukaea.
These batteries can supply tiny devices under the skin, such as hearing aids or cardiac stimulators. They can also support gadgets in distant places where the exchange of batteries is not practical.
Carbon-14 battery Works a bit like a solar panel, except that it captures the energy of the electrons instead of the photons.
As carbon-14 disintegrates inside the diamond shell, it emits high-speed electrons, which are converted into electric current through diamonds semiconductor properties.
A key feature is that this disintegration process occurs continuously, without interruptions or external input. This means the battery Can produce a constant electricity net for thousands of years, which makes it ideal for long-term applications with ultra-faible power.
Space and security potential
Spatial probes face the limited sunlight, the more they travel. A carbon-14 power source could maintain living instruments long after solar panels become useless.
Prolonged missions require minimal maintenance, and a slow and regular power supply is ideal for sensors and communication beacons.
Radiofrequency tags (RF) Also become benefit when there is a need for identification over the decades. Traditional batteries are fading, but a power cell with long lifespan can keep operational monitoring devices in orbit or harsh environments.
Why a carbon-4 battery counts
“Our micro-power technology can support a whole range of important applications, space technologies and safety devices to medical implants.
We are delighted to be able to explore all these possibilities, to work with partners in industry and research, in the coming years, “said Professor Tom ScottProfessor of equipment at the University of Bristol.
This low -power system can operate on smaller currents than those used by LED lights. It may not feed electric cars or smartphones, but it offers an electricity net that exceeds conventional energy storage.
Public challenges and perception
Many laboratory tests are found before carbon 14 batteries appear in everyday items. Radioactive material management requires strict monitoring and the cost of diamond Production remains a factor to consider.
Collaborations between university establishments and industry can unlock more effective means of producing these cells. If the approach evolves, technology could discuss waste reduction and ensure coherent power in the fields where reliability is the most important.
The generalized adoption of carbon 14 batteries will strongly depend on public confidence and transparent communication.
Although the radiation levels are extremely low and fully contained, the term “radioactiveAlways bears stigma that can hinder acceptance on consumer markets.
Regulators will also need time to assess safety standards for manufacturing, use and elimination. Long -term studies must confirm stability under real conditions.
Until then, technology can remain confined to specialized sectors such as aerospace, defense and implantable medical devices.
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