Chinese startup builds 'nuclear battery' capable of producing power for 50 years

Betavolt, a Chinese startup, has built a battery which has the capability to produce power or electricity for 50 years without any charging or maintenance.

The battery developed by Betavolt is a "nuclear" battery, placing 63 nuclear isotopes into a module. A nuclear battery converts radioisotope energy into electrical energy, and has an advantage over other types of batteries due to its high energy density. Such batteries use energy from the decay of a radioactive isotope to generate electricity.

The startup claims that it is the world's first battery to achieve the miniaturization of atomic energy production. It also claims that the battery could deliver 100 microwatts of power and a voltage of 3V while being15x15x5 cubic millimetres in size.  

By 202, the firm is planning to produce a battery with 1 watt of power.

“This new energy innovation will help China gain a leading edge in the new round of the AI technological revolution. Betavolt atomic energy batteries can meet the needs of long-lasting power supply in multiple scenarios, such as aerospace, AI equipment, medical equipment, microprocessors, advanced sensors, small drones and micro-robots,” as per company release.

The new battery is fire resistant and jerk proof, which means it is not likely to explode when there's a sudden external force applied on the device running a nuclear battery. The company also said that the battery works in temperatures ranging from -60 degrees Celsius to 120 degrees Celsius.